Hooley Unpacks "Best Game in Recent History"

As the fallout from the ongoing round of the NBL continues to happen, the likelihood of any contest topping the sheer drama of yesterday’s double-overtime clash between South East Melbourne and Sydney is low to nil.

The Phoenix won the thrilling contest largely thanks to the brilliance of Mitch Creek, who finished the game with a remarkable 46-point double-double.

Speaking on NBL Today, Peter Hooley says matchup between Creek and Sydney’s Derrick Walton Jr will go down long in the memory.

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“One of the best games in recent history,” Hooley lauded. “And two of the best individual performances you’re likely to see for some time. It was just two blokes putting their teams on their backs and going blow for blow.

“It was unbelievable to watch and the crowd was just going off … you could watch the game over and over and enjoy yourself every single time. There were so many big plays, so many big moments.

“It sucked there had to be a winner in the end because both teams deserved it."

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Incredibly close game in Gippsland ?<a href="https://twitter.com/SEMelbPhoenix?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SEMelbPhoenix</a> take It out in the double overtime clash ??<br><br>Foot Locker Player of the Game honours go to Mitch Creek with career and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL23?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL23</a> season high 46 points. <a href="https://t.co/pdXsxSRnRp">pic.twitter.com/pdXsxSRnRp</a></p>&mdash; NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1604350452195135488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

One negative of the fast-paced, extended game was key injuries suffered by players on both sides of the court.

After rolling his ankle in Sydney’s clash with Illawarra Xavier Cooks attempted to take to the court against the Phoenix but lasted just seven minutes. For the Phoenix key players Ryan Broekhoff and Gary Browne both had their games ended early with groin and calf injuries respectively.

Out of fallen soldiers comes opportunity though, and young stars Jaylin Galloway and Owen Foxwell stepped up for their sides when the chips were down, with Hooley saving special praise for the young Phoenix guard.

“He was great, Hooley said of Foxwell. “For young guys in the league to come in and take those opportunities, it just speaks volumes of everybody being prepared.

“He’s still incredibly young and that’s only going to help his confidence and Simon Mitchell’s confidence in him.

“A lot of these guys train with teams before being signed as development players so they’re understanding of how long it might take to get their opportunity.

“Sean Macdonald is s development player in Tasmania who’s earned significant minutes on a team that’s producing.

“There’s so many more you could name who continue to take opportunities when they arrive.”