Other Wildcats Weapons Stand Tall

Written for nbl.com.au by Chris Pike

The Perth Wildcats showed they won't be relying solely on the brilliance of Bryce Cotton this season as plenty of their other weapons stepped up in a strong 87-71 win over the South East Melbourne Phoenix at the NBL Blitz on Monday night.

Cotton lit it up to start the Blitz in Darwin on Saturday going for 21 points in the opening half and 36 for the game in Perth's win against the Cairns Taipans. 

But what might have been most encouraging for new coach John Rillie on Monday in the 16-point win against the Phoenix was that they didn’t need any more heroics from the three-time MVP and champion.

Cotton had just seven points on 2/7 shooting for the night, but it mattered little with the Wildcats pulling down 47 rebounds to 39 while shooting a little better going 46 per cent from the floor opposed to 37 from the Phoenix. 

South East Melbourne especially struggled from beyond the arc hitting 3/21 while Perth went 12/37 but 19 turnovers from the 'Cats is an area Rillie would like to tidy up.

New import Brady Manek had struggled with his long-range shooting in his first couple of hit outs for the Wildcats, but he would have been relieved to hit a couple from deep on his way to 13 points, nine rebounds and three assists.

Corey Webster also showed he's going to be quite the weapon alongside Cotton with 16 points on 6/12 shooting while Kyle Zunic embraced his increased role in the absence of Mitch Norton with 15 points including 3/6 shooting from deep.

Luke Travers added nine points, five rebounds and three assists, Todd Blanchfield eight points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals, Majok Majok seven points and six boards, and Corey Shervill seven points.

The Phoenix were once again without perhaps their three best offensive weapons, Mitch Creek, Ryan Broekhoff and Trey Kell, so it's not time for concern for coach Simon Mitchell despite the shooting struggles.

The signs were encouraging down low from Alan Williams who had a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Gary Browne also had his moments with 12 points and eight assists while Kyle Adnam top-scored with 16 points.

South East Melbourne flew out of the blocks opening a 7-2 lead including Junior Madut knocking down a three ball, but Perth worked into the game and it started with Brady Manek hitting his first triple in Wildcats colours.

That sparked a 7-0 run capped off by point guard Kyle Zunic before Corey Shervill showed he's ready to make an impact in NBL23 after missing all of last season with a foot injury by scoring five quick points.

Zunic then knocked down a three ball to help the 'Cats to a 21-16 lead after one and then it was Manek and Corey Webster who helped their team stretch that lead further. 

Both hit a triple and made another basket apiece along with getting to the foul line in the opening minutes of the second quarter with the men in red's lead getting out to nine points. 

It was threatening to get away from the Phoenix but a couple of nice late buckets before half-time from Gary Browne kept the margin at eight with a combined 28 points from Zunic, Webster and Manek making up for a quiet night for Cotton.

Luke Travers, Cotton and Majok Majok then helped Perth to a 6-0 run early in the third quarter for the first double-figure lead of the contest. 

While Alan Williams did some strong work down low to try and keep South East Melbourne close, the 'Cats had all the answers and eight quick points including two threes from Todd Blanchfield saw them lead by 13 after three.

Travers then opened the fourth quarter with a nice dunk for Perth and Webster was starting to enjoy himself as he prepares for his first season at the Wildcats with an impressive last quarter to help his new team to the 16-point win.

Day 5 at the NBL Blitz in Darwin on Tuesday will see the New Zealand Breakers first up against the Illawarra Hawks before the Cairns Taipans face the Brisbane Bullets.

Both teams will now wrap up their Blitz campaigns with games on Wednesday night with the Phoenix first up against the Sydney Kings before the Wildcats take on Melbourne United.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL BLITZ – DAY 4

PERTH WILDCATS 87 (Webster 16, Zunic 15, Manek 13)

SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX 71 (Adnam 16, Williams 13, Browne 12) 

BOX SCORE