NEWCASTLE Hunters saved their best until last to overwhelm Sydney Comets 73-68 in an exciting Waratah Basketball League men’s game at Broadmeadow on Saturday night.
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In front of the biggest crowd of the season, and in a thrilling climax to Reunion Night, the second-placed Hunters (10-2) rallied from a 51-39 deficit at three-quarter time to rattle home against the shell-shocked Comets.
2017 Hunters MVP Jacob Foy (17 points) knocked down the go-ahead three-pointer with 49 seconds remaining, then Austin Thornton (24 points, 17 rebounds) made a lay-up and two free throws in the final moments to secure Newcastle’s fifth straight victory and second over Sydney this season. Sharif Watson added 17 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks, and his dunk late in the fourth quarter fired up the crowd and cut Sydney’s lead to two.
“It was great to get a win like that on Reunion Night, and the shining light was the team’s never-give-up attitude,” Newcastle coach Darren Nichols said.
“We struggled to make a basket in the first quarter. Nothing would drop, even though we had good, open looks, and they shot 71 per cent in that first quarter.
“The plan was to run them off their feet, and being 18 down at one stage, I always knew that if we kept pushing, we would make some shots and they might finally crumble. In the second half, we continued to push, and Sharif stepped up a gear with some great offence and defence.
“Austin, in his own words, struggled with his shot but still managed 24 points and 17 rebounds, and Jacob Foy was one of eight in the first half but landed all four of his threes when it mattered.”
Nichols also acknowledged the leadership of captain Josh Morgan, who was one of five Newcastle Basketball stalwarts presented with life membership before the game as part of Reunion Night celebrations.
Morgan, his wife, Jill, and former Newcastle Falcons guard Peter Harvey were awarded life playing membership, and former Newcastle Basketball president Steven Dick and Rio Olympic referee Scott Beker received life membership.
Earlier on Reunion Night, the Hunters women’s team stretched their winning streak to six games with a 54-40 victory over Sydney.
The win kept Newcastle (7-3) in fourth place, creating breathing space against the fifth-placed Comets (5-5) and keeping pressure on third-placed Hornsby Spiders (8-2).
Jasmin Howe (22 points, eight rebounds), Alison Ebzery (11 points, seven assists, six rebounds, six steals) and Hannah Young (eight points, nine rebounds) led the way for Newcastle, who led 28-18 at half-time.
Sydney cut the deficit to five points late in the third quarter but Newcastle scored the first four points of the fourth period and maintained a double-digit lead for the rest of the game.
The Hunters men’s and women’s teams have next weekend off as the Waratah Basketball League takes a break for the NSW Country Championships for junior teams.
