The Seahawks were competitive in the second and third terms but were out-muscled in the first and fourth quarters in their 88-55 defeat.

Warrnambool was 12 points in arrears at quarter-time.

Horsham only outscored it by two points in the second term and three in the third quarter.

But the margin ballooned out in the final stanza, with the Hornets dropping 28 points to the Seahawks’ 12.

Seahawks coach Shane Smith said it was a learning curve for his young side, which only took eight players to Horsham and was without key tall Curtis Ryan.

“We worked on offences and defences we wanted to get done and did a few rotations,” he said.

“We were really competitive. We were unlucky a couple of times when we had a run at it, a couple of lay-ups missed.

“That’s taking no credit away from Horsham — they’re a very good team, experienced and patient and made good shots.”

Jeremy Bolden led the Seahawks’ scoring for a second week, dropping 16 points, while Riley Harris, Jake O’Flynn and Sam Gray impressed.

“(Jeremy’s) a work horse,” he said.

“He was up and down the floor and had a lot of rebounds.

“He’s a great talent and will continue to get better.”

Warrnambool Mermaids lost a thriller to Horsham Hornets yesterday.

The Hornets clawed a 74-73 win at home after trailing at the first two changes.

Warrnambool had a six-point buffer at quarter-time which was reduced to four at the main break.

Horsham gained the ascendancy in the third term and took a one-point lead into three-quarter-time.

Both teams scored 23 points in the final quarter.

Warrnambool coach Katie O’Keefe scored 19 points and was the sole Mermaid to reach double figures. 

Smith said Eliza Killey almost clinched the win for the Mermaids.

“It was a great finish,” he said. “They were unlucky — their last 30 seconds were brilliant.

“Eliza stepped up with a three and I thought (she scored) another three to tie it up but it was only a two-pointer.

“They did have the last shot and it just missed.

“They came home very strongly.”

Terang Tornadoes celebrated their first win of the season on Saturday night, accounting for Stawell Warriors 72-55.

Tornadoes co-coach Scott Judd said their dominant third quarter gave them an unassailable advantage.

“Transition was probably the biggest area we got the edge on them in,” he said.

“We got some easy lay-ups in the third quarter.

“I think we got three fast-breaks.”

Judd said Terang clawed its way to a 12-point buffer at half-time after an even opening term.

The Tornadoes skipped 20 points clear in the third term but the Warriors fought the game out in the last.

“All the hard work is paying off,” Judd said.

“The biggest reward was having a good crowd there.”

Tornadoes co-coach Justin Wallace top scored with 23 points and Sam Spencer chimed in with 11.

Portland Coasters improved their record to 3-1 after splitting their games.

Bevan Herbertson and Joel Mirtschin combined for 44 points in Portland’s 92-47 win against Timboon Taipans on Saturday night.

Alex Lees was the only Taipan to hit double figures, dropping 13 points. 

Colac Kookas defeated Portland yesterday 80-78.

Hayden Annett sunk 24 points and Herbertson 22 to be the Coasters’ most productive players.