By Amanda Wright
Cheers echoed through the Crater at Mackay McDonald’s Stadium last Friday night as our McDonald's Mackay Meteors dominated the court early on, clinching a thrilling victory against the Townsville Heat, In a high-flying display of hoops prowess, our boys soared to a spectacular 98-89 win, leaving fans on the edge of their seats and opponents seeing stars.
Leading the charge was the dynamic duo of Isaac White and Todd Blanchfield, whose lightning-fast moves and pinpoint accuracy kept the scoreboard ticking. With White netting an impressive 30 points while dishing out 8 assists, and Blanchfield commanding the paint with 22 points and 12 rebounds, the Meteors left their rivals trailing in their comet's tail.
But the victory wasn't just about individual brilliance. CJ Maran's hustle on both ends of the court, tallying 11 points and 4 rebounds, proved crucial in securing the win. Under the astute guidance of Head Coach Joel Khalu, the Meteors showcased their defensive prowess, stifling the Heat's offence and proving that they're not just shooting stars but defensive stalwarts too.
Reflecting on the game, Coach Khalu emphasized the importance of defensive intensity, stating, "We want to be known as a defensively strong team." He further elaborated, acknowledging areas for improvement, particularly in closing out games.
"Unfortunately I feel we did a poor job in the second half," he remarked. "We let them get back into it, it was a five-or-six-point game with three minutes to go so it was by no means over. We have to be better at closing it out."
Despite these challenges, Khalu remained optimistic about the team's prospects, saying, "For a round one win we'll take it and move forward from here."
Meanwhile, our McDonald's Mackay Meteorettes faced a tough challenge against the Townsville Flames, falling short with a final score of 84-66. Despite the loss, the Meteorettes displayed determination, led by Taylor Mole's 23 points and 6 rebounds, along with stellar performances from Sam Haiby and Nikita Van Wyk.
Looking ahead, Head Coach Jamiey Doevendans remains optimistic, stating, "We found our groove in the third quarter and I'm hoping moving forward we can translate that groove into all four quarters."
With a focus on execution and consistency, the Meteorettes are poised to bounce back stronger in their upcoming matchups.
As the excitement continues to build, mark your calendars for our next home games as our McDonald’s Mackay Meteors and Meteorettes gear up to face the Brisbane Capitals.
The action-packed games are set to take place at the Crater on April 19. The Meteorettes will hit the court first at 6:30 PM, followed by the Meteors at 8:30 PM.
Kieron Place Art and Photography
