Gold Coast Blaze

R18 Report: Blaze put the heat on the Hawks

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 21:23:00 +1100

BOXSCORE

Mark Worthington led the Gold Coast Blaze to a 91-50 annihilation of the Wollongong Hawks in Saturday night's spiteful encounter on the Gold Coast.

The Australian Boomer was bruising in defence and lethal in attack, finishing with 25 points, five rebounds and two steals with strong support from Adris Deleon and Adam Gibson (both 13 points).

Only new recruit Ayinde Ubaka (12 points) managed double figures for Wollongong as they struggled to find a way through the jamming Gold Coast defence.

Worthington found himself receiving verbal and physical attention from the Hawks, who became frustrated by the physicality and lop-sided scoreline. Veteran Hawks coach Gordie Mcleod received a rare technical foul for questioning referee Scott Beker.

Tempers then threatened to boil over in the third quarter as first Worthington and Larry Davidson came together before Glen Saville and Anthony Petrie exchanged pleasantries.

The Blaze ambushed the Hawks early with its rugged defence, knocking the visitors out of their offensive rhythm and leaping to an early 17-7 lead.

The injection of Ubaka made some headway against the Gold Coast defence, the guard scoring eight points including a late triple to keep the Hawks within range at 26-17 down after 10 minutes.

Deleon found his range early in the second term, his two long-range jumpshots pushing the lead out to 13 before the tech foul on Mcleod increased the advantage to 17.

Wollongong launched a mini-fightback with three consecutive baskets late in the term, but they were unable to build any pressure against the impregnable Gold Coast defence, going to the main break trailing 47-29.

The dam wall cracked wide open after half-time as the Gold Coast ran roughshod over the visitors to record its fourth consecutive win.

Gold Coast Blaze 91 (Worthington 25, Deleon 13, Gibson 13)
Wollongong Hawks 50 (Ubaka 12)

Crowd: 3122 at Gold Coast Convention Centre

MARK my words: Write off a veteran at your peril

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:24:00 +1100

ONE thing I learned early in my career was never to underestimate a veteran.

No matter how much faster or sharper you think you are, nothing beats experience and smarts.

That's why my good mate Hoarey can still play at the top level 17 years after his debut.

It's why I'm expecting my former teammate at the Kings Glen Saville and his Hawks to be tough to put away tomorrow night.

Sav, who's 36, killed it against the Tigers last week -- they've also beaten Cairns in Cairns and nearly got the Crocs.

Despite a slow start to the year, the Hawks are going as good as anyone.

So is Sav. He had 13 points and nine boards last week.

The other old bloke in the `gong, Mat Campbell is in the same boat. He dropped a lazy 17 last week.

Throw in former Blaze teammate Ayinde Ubaka, who had his first match since being axed by the Tigers last week and they're a genuine force.

There'll be few imports trying harder in the coming months. He'll be desperate to get a new contract next year.

A guy of his ability won't have too much trouble finding one, but naturally he'll be after the best deal he can get.

This will be a great test for us.

You're probably wondering why I haven't spoken about our record-breaking win in this column, well that's because its important to not get caught up with it.

Keeping a team to less than 50 has been done less than five times in the NBL. It was a phenomenal effort and one we should be proud of, but that was last week.

We've got to continue the momentum. We need to get the jump on Cairns, Townsville and Melbourne and embed ourselves in the top four.

Finally, there's a guy in our team who wears the No.43 singlet. You might have heard of him, his name is Chris Goulding and he's in the Gold Coast Bulletin's sexy list.

Jump onto goldcoast.com.au and vote for him.

Wright puts his faith in fortress mentality of Blaze

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:53:00 +1100

Blaze coach Joey Wright says a defensive standard has been set which now must be maintained starting with Saturday night’s showdown against Wollongong. The Blaze are sitting in fourth on the ladder on a three-game winning streak heading into the clash at the Gold Coast Convention Centre. Up against the team with the worst record in the NBL, the Blaze will be brimming with confidence following last week’s demolition of Cairns. It is a match that will be remembered after the Coast held the Taipans to just 49 points, which was Cairns’s lowest NBL score. Wright is expecting no different when the Hawks come to town Saturday night. “That was a little bit of us playing good defence and Cairns playing bad offence,” Wright said. “But we need to play defence like that and if we can keep teams in the 70s, that is going to give us a chance. “That wasn’t a great offensive night for us either, but if we can keep teams in the 70s, then we will at least be in the 70s, so we’ll at least be in every ball game.” Wright is realistic enough to know it will be nearly impossible to hold opposition clubs to less than 50 points a game for the remained of the season. But he believes their form over the past three games suggest that more success is on the horizon. “We have played that way (strong defensively) since the Perth game and backed that up,” he said. “So if we can continue to play that way during games, we will definitely be in every game.” In what is a very even league, Wright said he has been buoyed by his side’s three-game winning streak. He said there was no reason it could not continue but labelled the Hawks clash as a danger game, especially with the inclusion of former Blaze player and recently axed Melbourne point guard Ayinde Ubaka. “I think in this league to get three wins in a row is really tough,” Wright said. “It is extremely competitive, so we are starting to get on a bit of a roll. But we have to take every game for what it is and treat it like that, starting again with Wollongong.”

Lift in intensity now paying off

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:44:00 +1100

Import Will Hudson has revealed a timely lift in training intensity was one of the catalysts behind the Gold Coast Blaze’s three-game winning streak that has propelled them into the NBL top four. The big American said the squad reached the conclusion they were not working hard enough during the week and it was affecting them come game time. With that corrected, the results have been tremendous and Hudson said it would be no different heading into Saturday night’s home clash against Wollongong. “We had to change up a couple of things in order to execute (coach) Joey’s (Wright) game plan,” Hudson said. “It came down to putting a full game together and I think it really starts with how we have been practising and the intensity that has been going on in training. “I really believe it has helped us prepare for the games and we have made a conscious effort to lift that intensity.” The big man has relished his increased court time in recent weeks that has come on the back of the Blaze’s recent spate of injuries. They are rolling with just eight players at the moment but are still getting it done. Hudson shares Wright’s opinion it has helped them grow tighter. “We are a pretty close group,” he said. “This season is a long grind and you are going to face adversity throughout the year with injuries and different line-ups at times. “It just comes down to how well we perform with that adversity and come together as a unit.” The 206-cm tall Hudson has relished his increased court time in recent weeks and it is evident his confidence in this league is growing by the game. “There have been a lot of adjustments that I have had to make throughout the season,” he said. “But you do whatever needs to be done for the team.” This is Hudson’s first team out of college in the US after playing with Oakland University in California. While he has no room for comparison, the 22-year-old forward said the NBL more than holds its own in terms of world basketball leagues. “Some people might not realise how good this league is...I think it is really underrated how much talent is in this league.”

R18 Preview: Gold Coast Blaze v Wollongong Hawks

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:35:00 +1100

Tip-off: Saturday, February 4, 6.30pm (local), Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre

TV: ONE 10.30pm (check local guides)

Last time they met: Gold Coast 83 (Goulding 16, Petrie 13, Cadee 11, Gibson 11, Hudson 11) d Wollongong 58 (Catron 13, Demos 10), Round 3, 2011/12, WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong

Turn it around
From misery three weeks ago the Hawks and Blaze have spun full circle and will be looking at the last eight weeks of the season with renewed vigour.

Gold Coast have found their roles offensively and revealed a newfound passion for defence, while Wollongong rediscovered the discipline and confidence that made them such a tough opponent the past two years.

After beating the Taipans in Cairns and nearly toppling Townsville, the Hawks added Ayinde Ubaka as the perfect cherry on the sundae and dismantled Melbourne.

With Ubaka, Rhys Martin and Glen Saville all creating shots, the Hawks nailed 13-of-31 from beyond the arc last round.

Adam Gibson, Jason Cadee and Adris DeLeon have been menacing but controlled in the open court for the Blaze, who have been capitalising well on the size and speed mismatches their three-forward frontline creates.

The match-ups
Adam Gibson v Ayinde Ubaka: There is a good chance Gibson will get the job on his former teammate given the danger Ubaka presents as a creator for the Hawks’ bevy of shooters. Gibson has averaged 15.8 points in his past five games but has hit just one of his last seven three-point attempts.

Adris DeLeon v Rhys Martin: With Ubaka providing ball-handling assistance last week Martin was a freed man, creating numerous open shots, particularly for Mat Campbell. When DeLeon shoots 40 per cent or better the Blaze are 6-2, when he is off-target they slip to 3-4. The ability of this pair to pick the right moment to attack will be crucial for their teams.

Mark Worthington v Glen Saville: Two of the greatest small forwards of recent times, Worthington is working beautifully with Gibson and DeLeon to find open shots, while Sav nailed 4 of 5 triples the past fortnight after making just 6 of 31 to that point. Saville is handing out three assists a game in the past two months, while Wortho dishes out 2.2 in wins and just one a game in losses.

Anthony Petrie v Larry Davidson: Two former NSW Country teammates reunite in what is always a physical battle. Petrie has been very efficient the past seven games, averaging 9.7 points and shooting 50 per cent from the field. Davidson hit his first three-pointer in 17 attempts last week and has upped his rebounding to 6.2 a game in the past two months.

Will Hudson v Oscar Forman: Hudson has collected 19 offensive rebounds in the past five games – only Julian Khazzouh and Jerai Grant have grabbed more in that time. Forman and Co. must be disciplined to keep Hudson off the glass and also take him to the perimeter at the offensive end where his mobility can be exploited.

The wrap
Wollongong are a new outfit with Ubaka and certainly not a bottom-of-the-table proposition, but when Gold Coast pay attention to defence – as they have the past three games – they are a playoff-calibre team.

Prediction: Blaze by 8

Blaze kick off community program with Seahawks GC

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:39:00 +1100

The Meriton Gold Coast Blaze will officially kick off their 2012 Community Engagement Program at the Seahawks GC Basketball Association Club Challenge this Thursday night. Both the Under 11 and Under 13 age groups of the Seahawks four associated clubs – the Western Warriors, Coombabah Clippers, Labrador Wildcats and Helensvale Hurricanes – will take to the court to play their first basketball round of 2012, each team with a Blaze player acting as assistant coach for one special night. The evening will also see Peta-Kaye Croft (State Member for Broadwater) officially present Seahawks GC with a grant from Sport and Recreation QLD – through the Active Inclusion Grant Program – inclusive of $40000 funding. The grant will be used to further basketball participation development programs and education courses for coaches in the Northern regions of the Gold Coast. Throughout the challenge, Blaze players will be available to sign autographs and will additionally be handing out Mates Rates Passes and Complimentary Kids Passes to the next Blaze home game this coming Saturday, February 4. For information on joining a team in Northern Gold Coast, call Deb Black (Seahawks GC Operations Manager) on 0412 751 037 or alternatively email her at admin@seahawksgc.com.au or visit www.seahawksgc.com.au

VOTE CHRIS GOULDING FOR GOLD COAST’S SEXIEST LIST

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:44:00 +1100

For the second year running, Blaze shooting guard Chris Goulding has made the Gold Coast Bulletin’s “Gold Coast’s Sexiest Men” list. The Bulletin’s Coast Confidential team searched far and wide across the Coast to compile a list of 40 of the Sexiest Men of the Gold Coast for 2012.

With your help, The Bulletin will narrow down that list to just 20, before the judging panel – Katrina Jones (Coast Confidential), Kimberley Busteed (TV Personality) & Richard Reid (TODAY Show Gossip Guru) – determine the final order of that Top 20.

VOTING is now open and you can vote once a day until the poll closes on Tuesday, February 14.

So every day, when you jump on the computer to update your blog, check emails or peruse Facebook, don’t forget to jump on goldcoast.com.au and VOTE CHRIS GOULDING for the Gold Coast’s Sexiest.

The order of the Top 20 Sexiest Men will be revealed in the Gold Coast Bulletin on Friday, February 17.

The 2012 Gold Coast's Sexiest lists are supported by EAST, Kazazz Jewellery and Heaven Salons.

EAST will be hosting the Gold Coast's Sexiest Party on Friday, February 17. Go to east88.com.au for tickets.

Click here to VOTE NOW.

Stephen Hoare Q&A

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:30:00 +1100

You’ve just played your 450th NBL game. Is that a mark you ever though you would pass when you first started out in the NBL?

Not at all. After being cut by West Sydney back about 2000, I never thought I would reach 100 games. I feel very lucky but also very proud that I have been able to play that many.

Do you still remember your first NBL game, and what was it like stepping on the floor as a rookie?

Definitely. It was in Adelaide against the 36ers back in 1995. I was training with the North Melbourne Giants while playing with their feeder team in the ABA. Luckily for me they had a few injuries and was given the call up. I went 0-for-1 but the team had a good win.

Where did you first start to play basketball and who was the biggest influence on your game in those early years?

I started playing when I was eight years old for my primary school. Games were played on Saturday mornings on outdoor courts at the various schools in the area. I didn't start playing on indoor courts until my third year. My parents were definitely my biggest influence back then and have been for most of my career.

What has been the standout memory of your NBL career thus far?

That’s easy. Winning the Championships back in 2006 and 2008 with Melbourne Tigers.

Which teammates, past or present, have you most enjoyed playing with and why?

I have been very lucky to play with and learn from some of the biggest names in Australian basketball such as Andrew Gaze, Lanard Copeland, Mark Bradtke, Dave Thomas, Bruce Bolden, Pat Reidy, Marcus Timmons, Larry Senstock and Sam Mackinnon just to name a few. However my favourite teammate of all time is Daryl Macdonald. Champion bloke and a champion player and have a huge amount of respect and admiration for the way he played the game. I also think current teammates Mark Worthington and Adam Gibson will be considered as two of Australia's all time great by the time they finish their careers.

You’re the only player ever to win Best Sixth Man more than once. What does it take to be a ‘super sub’ off the bench?

My focus was always that once I came into the game I wanted to make an impact. That could be scoring, rebounding, passing or playing D. I knew I wasn't going to play big minutes so I just tried to work as hard as I could and contest every possession. Good things tend to happen when you play your hardest.

As you’ve gotten older and become a veteran, what are the most valuable things you’ve learnt as a player?

Respect the game and don't take things for granted. It’s the combination of hard work and self belief that makes the difference between the good players and the great players and also the good teams and the great teams. Lastly, teams will never be successful unless all players are on the same page and are working towards the same goals.

How many more years do you think you have left in your career and do you see yourself coaching after you’ve retired?

I think this will probably be my last year and I will make that decision fairly soon I think. Would love to get into coaching on some level as I love the game and think I have plenty to offer. Definitely want to stay involved though. We'll see what happens.

You know what it takes to win a title as you’ve done that before on a number of occasions. What do the Blaze need to do to win it all this season?

I think we have been getting ourselves on the right track in the past few weeks. Our focus has been on the defensive end and trying to make life difficult for our opponents and that has been evident in our last few games. I think we are also playing much better as a team and making the extra pass to get a teammate a better shot. We definitely have the individual talent and we are starting to put it together as a team as well. We still have a long way to go but I like the direction we are heading and the momentum we are building.

R17 Report: Blaze tame ice-cold Taipans

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 20:33:00 +1100

BOXSCORE

The Gold Coast Blaze recorded a dominant 76-49 home win over the Cairns Taipans on Sunday night.

The Blaze produced its most lethal display to date to leapfrog Cairns into fourth spot. In stark contrast, the Taipans were miserable as they crashed to the lowest score of any team so far this season.

It was a win built on defence as the Blaze shut down every Taipans option, dominated the paint (30-22), the rebounds (42-27) and ultimately the scoreboard.

Australian Boomer Mark Worthington was the main destroyer with a game-high 17 points, seven rebounds, two steals and a block, while international teammate Adam Gibson contributed 10 points, six boards, four assists and three steals.

Anthony Petrie, playing his 100th NBL game, and import Adris Deleon (both 10) joined them in double figures.

Only Alex Loughton (12) could trouble the scoreboard for Cairns, with no other player coming close to reaching double figures in a dismal showing from the far north Queenslanders.

It was a slow start from both teams, but it didn't take long for Gibson to crack the game open, scoring six quick points including an athletic rebound off his own missed shot.

He then dished off a slick pass to young guard Jason Cadee for a three-pointer, setting up a 24-14 quarter-time lead to the Blaze.

The Blaze continued to stamp its authority, rattling off the first 10 points of the second term to set up an imposing advantage as its defensive efforts choked the Taipans.

Cairns' inability to penetrate was highlighted by 12 three-point attempts before halftime, just two of them finding their mark.

Import Andrew Warren opened the third term with a triple, but Gold Coast responded by piling on 10 unanswered points to kill off any hope of a Taipans revival.

Gold Coast Blaze 76 (Worthington 17, Gibson 10, Petrie 10, Deleon 10)
Cairns Taipans 49 (Loughton 12)

Crowd: 3088 at Gold Coast Convention Centre

MARK my words: We must split the difference

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 12:31:00 +1100

THERE'S something in basketball that's always glazed over.

A lot of the fans and sometimes even the players forget it.

It's called getting the split on teams, winning the series against them.

At the end of the year, if teams are tied for fourth on the ladder to make the playoffs, or for second to host a finals series, it'll come down to who won the minor-round series between them.

We've won the series against Melbourne and Perth. So if we're tied with them we'll leapfrog them.

Cairns are a different story.

We're 0-2 down with two to play. Our job is to get it back to 2-2 and then it'll come down to which team scored the highest number of points.

It's critical we get the split on Cairns, Townsville and Melbourne because they'll all be around the third and fourth position. All being well, we'll set up a top-two finish, but you can't promise that.

That's why we know we need to get the split against Cairns. These games have added importance.

I think we've finally got it in our mentality that defence is critical. We've really strengthened our defence and realised winning games isn't always about sinking 30 points individually.

We've increased our defensive pressure and that in turn builds aggression and allows you to go on the attack.

We'll be raring to go come Sunday night.

Joey gave us two days off this week, which was perfect.

When you get to this part of the season, your body knows it's in a grind. The aches and pains catch up, so it's good to be able to recharge.

We had yesterday off and it was fun to take Taz and Axel to the beach and enjoy the break in the rain. Getting away from the training grind before you head into the run to the playoffs is good.

Joey will give us a strong session this morning to top us off for Sunday. It won't be at the front of your minds, but we know we've got to win the split.

After all, it'll be the thing that splits the difference.