Bryce Signals Intentions for NBL23

If you think Bryce Cotton didn’t take it personally that the Perth Wildcats missed the playoffs last season then he let the NBL world know on Saturday night with a 36-point outburst in a win at the Blitz over the Cairns Taipans.

The Wildcats' remarkable streak of reaching the playoffs in the NBL came to an end last season and there's been great change since including the arrival of coach John Rillie. However, one thing that hasn’t changed is the presence of three-time MVP and three-time champion Cotton.

He sent quite a reminder of how unstoppable he can be in Darwin at the NBL Blitz on Saturday in Perth's 98-80 win against the Taipans where he put on a remarkable show like only he is capable of.

Cotton was at his dynamic best against the Taipans on his way to 36 points and four assists while shooting 12/21 from the floor and 7/12 from three-point territory. 

With his shooting touch on song and then his aggressiveness to create off the dribble, he's unstoppable and the Snakes found that out to open the Blitz with Cotton looking ready to be a strong force once more in NBL23.

Despite Cotton's brilliance where he had 21 points to half-time before adding another 12 in the third quarter, it was a tight game most of the way until the 'Cats blew it open in the fourth term.

That was when Corey Webster stepped up with a couple of big shots before the returning Corey Shervill also hit a triple, and Luke Travers threw down a couple of dunks as part of a 13-0 run on the way to the 98-80 win.

NBA draftee Travers ended up with 16 points, seven rebounds and four steals on 6/8 shooting with development player big Oliver Hayes-Brown stepping up for nine points while Kyle Zunic added nine as well.

Webster added seven points and five rebounds and the returning Shervill six points on 2/2 shooting from deep for a Wildcats team missing captain Jesse Wagstaff and import big TaShawn Thomas.

The Snakes were missing import DJ Hogg, new signings Lat Mayen and Sam Waardenburg along with Majok Deng, but still had a lot to like especially with Keanu Pinder. He delivered 21 points and five rebounds.

Bul Kuol added 14 points and six rebounds, Tahjere McCall 12 points, eight boards and six assists, Jonah Antonio 11 points and five rebounds, and Mirko Djeric seven points and three assists.

Development player big Josh Davey also showed good signs with four points and seven rebounds. Three of those were at the offensive end after he built a reputation in the NBL1 West at the Lakeside Lightning as a rebounding machine under the tutelage of that competition's all-time rebounding leader Jarrad Prue. 

Taipans coach Adam Forde coached against him for a time and knew the rebounding he could bring to the NBL. 

The Taipans made a fast start with Tahjere McCall setting the tone with five of the first seven points on the way to a 7-2 opening before Bryce Cotton hit a steadying three-pointer for Perth.

Perth local Jonah Antonio then started his life with Cairns with an early triple too before Kyle Zunic responded for the Wildcats and then then Cotton helped them to a four-point lead.

However, the Snakes hit back with a four-point play from Mirko Djeric before a three from Geelong Supercats veteran Gabe Hadley and another from McCall as they grabbed a 27-24 lead after one.

Cairns then threatened to open up a significant lead to start the second term with a three from Djeric and then finishes from Pinder and Bul Kuol. When Kuol added a three-point bomb and import Shannon Scott scored the lead was out to nine.

But Perth has Cotton and he hit seven points to close out the half to give him 21 at the break and with Travers impressive as well around the rim, Perth turned that into a 49-47 lead.

Cotton then opened the second half with another quick five points, but the energy of both McCall and Pinder was doing plenty for the Snakes and they were back up eight until Cotton took back over.

The triple MVP found Mitch Norton and Corey Shervill for three-pointers with his driving and dishing while hitting another seven points quickly himself to ensure Perth went into three quarter-time up 69-66.

Another three ball from Cotton opened up the fourth period and then Corey Webster found his groove hitting a couple of huge jumpers. Travers joined in with another couple of finishes at the rim before Shervill knocked down a second three-pointer as part of a game breaking 13-0 run.

Even though Antonio hit a couple of late triples for the Taipans, Michael Harris hit his own for the 'Cats as they cruised to the 18-point win. 

There will be another two games on Sunday in Darwin at the NBL Blitz with the Brisbane Bullets first up against the New Zealand Breakers before the Illawarra Hawks play Melbourne United.

Perth will next be in action on Monday in the late game against the South East Melbourne Phoenix. The Taipans are next up against the Brisbane Bullets on Tuesday night.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL BLITZ – DAY 2

PERTH WILDCATS 98 (Cotton 36, Travers 16, Hayes-Brown 9, Zunic 9)

CAIRNS TAIPANS 80 (Pinder 21, Kuol 14, McCall 12)

BOX SCORE

Written for nbl.com.au by Chris Pike