TFriday’s game was evenly poised for most of the first quarter. Isma’il Muhammad, J’Nathan Bullock and Nathan Herbert were again doing the bulk of Geelong’s scoring. Towards the end of the quarter it was Drew Williamson who stood up for Brisbane scoring 3 consecutive three pointers to open up an eight point lead at quarter time.

Bullock and Domenic Friend each had a three pointer at the start of the second to bring the margin back to a handful of points in the first 2 minutes. However, sadly, Friend rolled an ankle shortly afterwards and was to take no further part in the game. Bullock and Muhammad slowly pegged back the margin and briefly hit the front before Brisbane again fired to lead by 3 at the half.

The fast flowing shooting game of the first half dried up after the break as both sides increased their defensive effort. Williamson, Tyson Demos and Ash Cannan kept the scoreboard ticking over for the Spartans as Herbert, Muhammad, Bullock and Braith Cox continued the attack for Geelong. Without friend in the rotation, Brisbane’s size started to become a problem for Geelong as the visitors drew away to a six point lead at the final break.

Tyson Demos’ 3 pointer helped the Spartans out to a double figure lead early in the last but Bullock was again up to the challenge. His three pointer at 5:30 on the clock put the Supercats back within 4 points and then the crowd was on the edge of their seats as neither side scored for the next three minutes. Bullock then landed a three and the crowd was on their feet as he was fouled in the process by Cannan. Bullock missed the free but Cox’s 2 and then a 3 from Herbert put the Supercats in front with just 16 seconds to play. In that 16 seconds Herbert stole the inbounds pass twice. On the second occasion with just 3 seconds to play Herbert lobbed the ball high in the air as the clock ran down and the Supercats had won.

Muhammad finished with 24 points, 7 rebounds, 7assists a block and a steal while Bullock had 23 points 10 rebounds, 4 assists and a steal to be named MVP for the match. Herbert had 19 points and 9 rebounds while Cox finished with 17 points. Williamson was the best for the visitors with 20 points.

The Supercats travelled up to Albury to play the Albury/Wodonga Bandits on Saturday night. On paper it seemed an easy assignment for Geelong but the loss of Friend with his ankle, Owusu with a back strain and Cox and George being unavailable saw an unusually small team and an unusual starting line up for Geelong.

Jamie Medved and Matt Hardiman didn’t disappoint with their promotions with the latter firing six early points to help Geelong to a 30 to 24 lead at quarter time. With absolutely on fire and Bullock and Medved in solid supporting roles, the Supercats went on a 17 to 4 run to start the second quarter and by half time were well in control with the lead out to a whopping 23 points 61 points to 38. The margin of 23 was equal to Herbert’s personal tally of 23 for the half.

With the game safely under control, the bench were given some well earned minutes and held out the Bandits through the second half. Unfortunately, Hardiman fouled out with 11 points but Keith Harrison followed through with 7 points. Muhammad came through with 19 points in the second half to keep the scoreboard ticking over. In the end the Supercats finished easy victors 115 to 100.

Herbert put his hand up for another Player of the Week nomination with 39 points including 5 threes to average 29 points a game for the weekend. Muhammad finished with 26 and Bullock 14. Travis Gabbidon was the best for the home side with 32.

The Supercats must now back up to face Crazy John’s SEABL South Conference ladder leaders, the Sandringham Sabres, at Sandringham in a school holiday fixture next Thursday night at 8pm. The Sabres lost both their matches in Tasmania this weekend.

Follow us on Twitter - www.Twitter.com/GeelongSupercat