A PROLIFIC rebounding effort guided Warrnambool Seahawks to a come-from-behind win at the Arc on Saturday night.
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The Seahawks pulled in 75 boards — 18 more than their opponent Sunbury — as they made it back-to-back victories to start their Big V season.
Alex Starling (16 rebounds), Matt Alexander (14), Tim Gainey (12) and Liam Killey (11) highlighted Warrnambool’s depth in the paint as it rallied to produce a 76-68 win in front of a big home crowd.
The Seahawks trailed at every change before a barnstorming 22-8 final term sunk the Jets.
Warrnambool was 11 points down at quarter-time, eight at half-time and six at the final break.
Seahawks coach Bobby Cunningham said he was pleased with his side’s response to its opening term lapse.
“Mid-way through the first quarter we got a bit stagnant,” he said. “We relied on too many jump shots and weren’t getting the ball inside to the big guys.
“After that we won every quarter. We really punished them on the glass.
“That is where our strength is and why we have to use them (our talls).”
Starling and Gainey both dropped 15 points for the Seahawks and guard Josh Dean contributed 11.
Cunningham said Dean would play a key role this season after Horsham product Tim Pickert opted against committing to Warrnambool full-time, citing the travel factor.
The Seahawks had hoped Pickert, who suited up against the Jets, would give Dean some relief at the point as they strive for consecutive play-off berths.
But Cunningham is confident Dean will relish the added responsibility.
“Josh was solid again,” he said. “I think he’d want to cut down on his four turnovers but the refs let both teams get away with a little bit of physicality, but that is part of the game.”
Cunningham estimated 450 people flocked to the Arc for the Seahawks’ first home game of the season.
“It was loud like our Chelsea final without the noise-makers,” he said.
“I think there is a good feeling around the place.
“They (the fans) created that atmosphere last night.”
Meanwhile, Warrnambool is still searching for its maiden division two youth league win after suffering a 104-75 loss to Warrandyte Venom on Saturday night.
Jeremy Bolden, who played division one in round one, drained 23 points and reeled in 11 rebounds for the Seahawks' under 23 outfit.
justine.mc@fairfaxmedia.com.au