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3-Minute Read
After causing the boil over of the last two decades in the league – the Mavs are badged as contenders for the finals in 2026 and showed accordingly taking it up to the Eagles in the opening term 21-22.
A raft of new recruits led from the front with former South Adelaide Panther Curtis Scott (12 points, seven assists & four rebounds), Mt Gambier Pioneer Christian Peevy and Southern Tigers Harry Morris (Nine points, four assists and rebounds) rallied together. The star-studded Eagles however got some quick points including a jam from Daniel Johnson to help them take a slight edge 44-45 at the half.
Adam Doyle (15 points, four assists and three rebounds) wound back the clock again with a pair of triples in the third term but the Eagles Returning power forward BJ Symons proved to be a telling factor against the Eagles once again as his influence and another former Pioneer in Dylan Marshall (12 points and five rebounds) kept the Mavs in touch 64-71 with one to play.
Symons trips to the free throw line and work inside the paint created multiple opportunities for the home side however some late contributions from Fiston Ipassou (14 points & six rebounds) including a triple of his own helped the Eagles slip away from the Mavs on their home floor 87-94.
The Eagles were led by Daniel Johnson within a breath of a triple double of 25 points, Nine assists and rebounds with Greg Mays producing 16 points & four rebounds. Alex Starling also gave his usual output in his multi-dimensional role with 12 points, eight rebounds with four assists and steals with all five Eagles starters notching double figures.
The numbers that mattered
- A significant change even early in the season is that the pine played a total of 48 minutes with nine points, seven rebounds for the Eagles – Young gun James McKenzie the first to be given a bigger role in the absence of Jordan Wilson and Jordan Forbes
- Paint is the process for the Mavs with 61 percent from 2pt range
- The Eagles had an additional eight possessions off their offensive rebounding led by DJ with five
The Three Takeaways
- If the Eagles can go deeper into their bench this season – they may have the fuel in the take to drop off anyone that comes near them late in the season
- The Mavs have a raft of creative scorers all with different methods – makes them very difficult to defend once they get rolling this season
- Once the Eagles have Jordan Forbes – they are going to be a scary proposition that don’t have to play their best till seasons end
EASTERN MAVERICKS 87 (SYMONS 25, PEEVY 16, SCOTT 15, MARSHALL 12, MORRIS 11)
FORESTVILLE EAGLES 94 (D JOHNSON 25, MAYS 16, DOYLE 15, IPASSOU 14, STARLING 12)
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