May 8: Geelong Supercats 122 (C. Lee 27, I. Muhammad 26, N. Herbert 19) defeated North West Tasmania Thunder 105 (M. Olsen 37, L. McGaffin 20, S. McGaffin 15) at the Arena.

May 9: Geelong Supercats 137 (C. Lee 27, I. Muhammad 25, J. Medved 24) defeated Dandenong Rangers 107 (B. Hobba 37, D. Jura 22, M. Witherden 16) at the Dandenong basketball stadium

The Supercats kicked their 2009 SEABL season into top gear on Friday night at the Arena, combining as a team to post their best total score for the year so far of 122 points to easily account for North West Tasmania 105. If Friday was top gear then Saturday must have been overdrive as the Supercats demolished Dandenong on their home court to the tune of 30 points blitzing their own top score with a season’s best 137.

On Friday, North West Tasmania went into the match without injured playing coach Sam Armstrong, who was forced to coach from the sideline. As if losing one sharp shooter wasn’t enough, Sam’s brother Ben went down with an apparent ankle injury midway through the first quarter and took no further part in the match.

The Thunder were not without any hope, however as the other pair of brothers in the squad, Lee and Scott McGaffin, began to display their wares and kept the scoreboard ticking. Geelong centre Daniel George had his hands full on the night, matching up against man mountain 221cm tall (that’s 7’4”) Sam Harris. It’s not often the Geelong big man is dwarfed but Harris was head and shoulders above him. George was equal to the task, however, managing to hold his opponent to 7 points and 11 rebounds whilst scoring a respectable 17 points and 8 rebounds himself.

The Thunder fought out the first quarter well and managed to lead 27 to 25 at the first break but all was about to change. Nick Owusu, Jason Reardon and Nathan Herbert joined Lee and Muhammad to add 35 points for the second quarter, at the same time raising their defensive intensity to hold the Thunder to just 20. Geelong went in at the half time break with a 13 point margin 60-47.

The Thunder came out of the half time break with renewed vigour and matched it with the Supercats for most of the third quarter, getting the margin back to 8 before Geelong recovered to take it back out to 14. Thunder import Macade Olsen was doing most of the damage for the visitors. Lee, Herbert and Muhammad continued to pile on the pressure in the last blowing the lead out to 19 points before head coach Mark Leader determined that the game was under control and took the opportunity to rest his starters for Saturday night’s fixture in Dandenong.

The bench held their own maintaining the margin for the remainder of the match with a three pointer from guard Dane Bow with 16 seconds to play bringing the crowd alive again. Geelong recorded their fourth consecutive win 122 to 105.

The Geelong import combination of Clifton Lee and Isma’il Muhammad combined for their best tally of the season scoring 27 and 26 respectively while Nathan Herbert had 19. Olsen led all scorers with a 37 point haul for North West.

The Supercats travelled up to Dandenong on Saturday night to face the Rangers who are returning to SEABL competition this year after 5 years in the Big V league.

The Supercats went into the match without Jason Reardon who succumbed to a groin strain, which occurred at practice during the week. Lee and Muhammad picked up from where they left off the night before continuing their great shooting and it was Jamie Medved who stepped up to the mark shooting 4 first quarter three pointers to help Geelong to a 43 to 25 lead at quarter time.

Nathan Herbert and Lee joined in the shooting spree from behind the arc as Geelong had 60 points on the board at the five minute mark of the second. Geelong extended the lead over the hapless Rangers to as many as 24 before settling for a 19 point lead 77 to 58 at the half.

Dandenong veteran Brent Hobba and swingman Dusty Jura came out with renewed vigour in the third as the home side closed the gap to 12 before Geelong again accelerated away with Medved, Nick Owusu and Chris Dunlop all contributing with free flowing scoring. Geelong’s 56% shooting percentage, combined with some of the best defence the team has played this year, saw them hit 100 points with 2 minutes to go in the third and build a match winning 32 point lead by the last break. The highlight of the match came with 3 minutes and 47 seconds to play in the third when Muhammad flew through the air to connect to an alley oop from Braith Cox and slam it home.

The last quarter turned into a bit of a training run for Geelong with the bench on for most of the term. The Supercats coasted home to the easiest of wins 137 to 107.

Lee staked a solid claim on the Player of the Week award with his second 27 point effort in as many days while Muhammad had another solid performance with 25 and Jamie Medved played his best game in ages for 24 points. Once again six Supercats scored in double figures with Herbert on 20, Owusu 16 and Dunlop having his best ever game with 12. Hobba’s 37 was the best for the Rangers.

Geelong play arch regional rivals Ballarat at the Arena next Saturday night with the Supercats Vs Miners legends game as the curtain raiser.