Knox Raid on AIS Parade

 By Jordan Laing

 The Australian Institute of Sport’s spirited comeback late in the fourth quarter was not enough to get them over the line in Friday night’s Round Two SEABL match against Knox Raiders, going down 103 – 125 at the AIS Training Hall.

 The lively ‘Tutes’ were vigorous throughout the course of the match as they placed immense pressure on the opposition in both offence and defence, particularly in the first quarter.

 Raiders coach Heath Anderson felt the hard working mentality of the AIS and recognised the ‘Tutes’ on court intensity.

 “I thought that we (Raiders) weren’t in the game early and the young fellas (AIS) really taught us a lesson in getting ready at the start of the game, which they showed last week,” Anderson said.

 American import, CJ Massingale, led the way for the victors with a game high 30 points, including five-of-nine shooting from beyond the arc.

 Massingale received tremendous support from centre Lester Strong who contributed 25 points and 15 boards.

 It was the physicality of the contest that unravelled the AIS, failing to take off with the same pace that they dominated the first quarter.

AIS coach Martin Clarke recognised that his team was struggling to keep up the pressure and intensity that electrified the crowd in the early part of the match, but acknowledged this was simply part of playing basketball.

 “When you play in a man’s league you have to play against men, so physically they (Knox) were a lot stronger and that really took it out of us in the second and third quarter when we wanted to run offence,” Clarke said.

 The AIS distributed the points evenly with six players posting double digits. Matthew Dellavedova (17 points) led the way for his side, including a half-way buzzer beater at the end of the first quarter, whilst Hugh Greenwood (14 points, 6 rebounds) and Mitchell Young (14 points, 6 rebounds) were electrifying in attack.

 ‘Tutes’ captain Jorden Page was uplifting throughout the match, continually trying to keep his side competitive on the scoreboard with an amazing display of look-away passes and some significant baskets, ending the game with 10 points and five assists.

 “There were a lot of positives out of tonight’s performance, offensively we scored 103 points and if we continue to score that much we are going to win, it’s just defence that’s all,” Page said.

 In front of an energetic home crowd the ‘Tutes’ came ready to play. They were dominant in offence with speed and some slick passing whilst in defence they continued to get in the face of their opponents forcing the turnover on a number of occasions. 

 The AIS continued the first half of the second quarter with the same vigour and intensity that saw them lead at the first break, however CJ Massingale started the visitor’s comeback slotting four-of-four from beyond the arc, and finishing with a quarter-high score of 15 points.

 After halftime the Raiders continued to run away with the game forcing their opponent to shoot many times beyond the three point line with strong interior defence.

 The Raiders eventually got out to a 30 point lead midway through the fourth quarter but some hard running and a positive mind-set got the ball rolling for the home team as they started to pin back the points.

 AIS coach Martin Clarke said the ‘Tutes’ attitude late in the last quarter was a very encouraging sign.

 “The ability to come back in the last bit when there was no chance to win the game was a positive,” Clarke said.

 “You always hope that they can come back and go with the spirit.”

 The AIS face the Hobart Chargers next Friday night (14/03/08) at home.

 Australian Institute of Sport 103 (Dellavedova 17, Greenwood 14, Young 14)

Knox Raiders 125 (Massingale 30, Strong 25, Payne 21)