Dynamic guard Nathan Sobey accumulated in one of his most all-round games of the season to help the Sixers clip the Hawks. Photo by AAP in Illawarra Mercury
The Sixers started in a blaze stunning the Hawks in the opening quarter leading by as many as 12 as Josh Childress drained two early triples clearly a scouting report move that back fired from the Hawks. Meanwhile shooting superstar Rotnei Clarke was guarded tighter on the three point line than a congested afternoon in Melbourne traffic, a move which limited the scoring opportunities of the Hawks. The highlight of the opening quarter a Demitrius Conger two handed dunk changing direction 180 degrees mid-air evading as good as defence that could be played by fellow aerialist Mitch Creek, the Sixers leading 32-27 at quarter time.
The fireworks went off for the Sixers in the second quarter as they dominated the open court as the game turned into a free for all shootout and the Hawks could not keep up. Ramone Moore got on his bike and constantly caught the Hawks defence napping and Daniel Johnson after a wonderful opening quarter continued to add to his tally exposing the weak side defence of a 2-3 zone never quite setup for the onslaught. Adelaide went on a numerous runs with the Hawks only scoring a few baskets here or there, Majok Deng putting an exclamation point on his finish with the shimmy two hander under the basket jam before the quiet hero of the night Nathan Sobey dropped a triple to complete the 32-20 point rout for the quarter, the Sixers their second highest first half of the season leading 64-45 at the main break.
Coach Rob Beveridge rang the changes starting a majority of his bench after the half including eleventh rostered player Indiana Faithfull and always dangerous marksman Tim Coenraad who once again got under the Sixers guard dropping a couple of corner triples but the men in the pinstripe blue for the night were not to give a sniff. The Sixers miserly defence giving up only 11 fouls for the night continued to blanket the Hawks as Childress and co plucked 11 steals and turned them into easy lay-ups or slamming door shut jams. The crowd even were brought into the game further when a “ghost” call was made on a Sobey reach in on Clarke (no fault of his own) but the crowd did not relent for the remainder of the evening jeering the guard every time he touched the ball. The Sixers in complete control at the end of three, 89-65.
The game was sealed early in the last quarter when the returning Anthony Drmic drained two massive crowd erupting triples to signal his return to the Sixers deep roster and it was party time despite many keen to cool off in the last quarter after a 42 degree day in the city of churches. Sobey then rallied off eight quick points including some deep triples to finish an extremely solid game all-round across all four quarters and while some Nelson Larkins free throws at the end would’ve iced the already delicious cake, the Sixers rolled their way to their sixth win in a row 112-90 in the finish and ended a five game hoodoo winning streak by the Hawks over the Sixers since last season.
In such an even contribution Sobey finished with 25 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists and a perfect well selected 3-3 from the perimeter in arguably one of his best and most mature games of the season. DJ dropped 17 points and 10 rebounds in a double double, Childress finished with 14 points and 3 rebounds and 3-5 three point shooting. Shannon Shorter also got the crowd going through the night with 10 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds in an outstanding game at the point position. The Sixers dominating the glass as a team with 53 rebounds for the night.
Clarke had a quiet night but still scored 17 points with 4 assists and rebounds but his 0-7 perimeter shooting was telling, Conger worked hard for his 16 points but was well quelled and Coenraad dropped 15 points and 4 rebounds including 3-6 from the perimeter. Beveridge would’ve been disappointed with the Hawks application giving up 21 offensive boards and 20 turnovers which would be enough to replicate Andrew Gaze’s mid game explosion last week.
Both teams will face off again tonight in a Wollongong venue not traditionally favourable to the Sixers but on the evidence of Friday night, the Sixers now five games clear in equal fourth are now a championship contender and the league will be wary of the team that has learnt from last year’s run and we ask the question, could we be witnessing the team that will break the Wildcat/Breaker stranglehold on the NBL championship…?
Adelaide 36ers 112 (Sobey 25, Johnson 17, Childress 14, Moore 12, Hodgson, Shorter 10) defeated Illawarra Hawks 90 (Clarke 17, Conger 16, Coenraad 15) at Titanium Security Arena
CROSS OVER DRIBBLE 