Cameron Gliddon received his early present being given as much space as needed for a Christmas feast binge - Photo by Zimbio
From very early in the game it appeared the game from within had already been won and the Taipans in their usual dire defensive boring manner sending the home fans into a deep sleep exposed this in their 94-75 heist at Titanium Security Arena.
Clearly the scouting report was lost amongst the mail to the man in red on Cameron Gliddon as he found himself open early for numerous corner triples and didn’t he make the Sixers pay. He wasn’t alone as the Taipans played the Grinch of the afternoon with Alex Loughton and Mitch McCarron well summed up by Corey “Homicide” Williams as the “best rebounding guard in the NBL” followed the plans of Coach Aaron Fearne dotting every I and crossing every T. It was surgical precision basketball at it’s finest as they led 28-18 at the first change then 42-33 at the half. The Sixers junking plenty of free throw opportunities 11 of 20 continually making any comeback a miracle.
For the first time this season even in their losses, the Sixers looked a team that were self-doubting, second guessing themselves attacking the rim and looked out of the flow completely. As much as no one wants to admit it, the last five minutes of Friday night’s match has clearly had an impact and yes coupling that with four injuries including three of the best field goal and two of the best three point shooters in the Sixers on the sideline, they looked a shadow of the team they had been.
But like any Disney saga there was a light that emerged from the match and that was the performance of Nelson Larkins, now there was a kid that wanted to earn his court time. Larkins played exactly as his father Wayne did with tenacity, determination and will to play a team game. Sure he made some errors but when the guns went missing (apart from Josh Childress who kept the Sixers in the game till the final quarter) he stepped up and it was pleasing to see Wright give him the court-time he deserved. The Kylo Ren look-a-like Loughton however drove his three pronged lightsaber into the Sixers heart and destroyed any chance of a comeback as the Taipans produced their best road win since 2014, blasting the Sixers away 94-75.
Childress finished with a double double with 20 points and 13 rebounds while there were two other players that finished in double figures, it isn’t worth mentioning and I hope along with many fans that spurs them onto a better performance next match. Larkins finished with 7 points, 2 assists and a golden steal which deserves mention.
The knights of Fearne were led by Gliddon with 27 points and a career high 7 triples, Loughton with 20 points, 7 rebounds and a perfect 3 from 3 triples in the second half and McCarron who can’t go unmentioned finishing with a double double of 17 points and 11 rebounds.
Cairns are on the road again with the Illawarra Hawks this Thursday while the Sixers will be back at home again to try and make sure another celebration is not spoiled by the New Zealand Breakers this Friday night.
And after last match, the fireworks will no doubt be starting early at Sixers training this week, here’s hoping one of my more critical reviews will fire up the boys to make sure it’s not a Happy New Year for the Breakers.
Adelaide 36ers 75 (Childress 20, Larkins 7) defeated by Cairns Taipans 94 (Gliddon 27, Loughton 20, McCarron 17) at Titanium Security Arena
CROSS OVER DRIBBLE 