Warrnambool Seahawks playing coach Tim Gainey celebrated his 300th game in style as his team flew to a 102-60 win over Coburg Giants.
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It was a great way to mark the milestone and the Seahawks are now in the box seat to take the last remaining finals spot in the Big V division one competition.
Gainey, who played 37 minutes and netted 14 points, was grateful for the community support on Saturday night at The Arc.
"The team and I enjoyed the big crowd that came out," he said.
"Thanks to everybody who came out and supported us."
The importance of the game meant Gainey was firmly focused on getting the win and he didn't notice his own performance.
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But announcer and good friend Tom Sell was sure to alert him and the crowd that the coach had pulled down 20 rebounds in a strong display.
Gainey's night was made all the more special with friend Lester Strong making a surprise appearance at the game.
Gainey and Strong hail from Colorado and they came to Australia as imports at a similar time.
They also knew each other from their high school basketball days.
Strong, who is also an Australian resident, played a year with Gainey in Warrnambool.
On-court, Xavier Johnson-Blount put in another scintillating game with 33 points, nine rebounds and five assists.
Gainey said he was working hard in gym and reaping the rewards.
"X is playing some exceptional basketball for us," he said.
Gainey said Johnson-Blount had lifted in the Seahawks' pursuit of finals.
"He's definitely taken it to another level," he said.
The finals equation is clear-cut for the Seahawks.
"If we win our next two, we'll make finals," Gainey said.
"Destiny is in our hands."
The Seahawks, who have two games remaining, are in battle with the Bulleen Boomers for sixth-spot and they play the Boomers in their final game.
The seventh-ranked Seahawks and the sixth-placed Boomers are both on 10 wins.
Another positive for the Seahawks was that Ollie Bidmade and Josh Dean got more minutes into their legs after returning from injuries.
Gainey is still hopeful James Mitchell, who sustained a broken leg in April, will make a return this season.
Otherwise, the Seahawks are close to full-strength.
Warrnambool Mermaids had a tough night at Eagle Stadium going down 100-42 to Werribee Devils in their championship encounter on Saturday night.
Coach Louise Brown took to the court for eight minutes while Grace Rodgers top-scored with 17 points.
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