WAGGA Heat has thrived in a thrilling fast-paced final at Bolton Park on Saturday night winning 161 to 112 and knocking St George out of the Waratah League Division One playoffs.
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The league’s leading scorers were in top gear, Heat point guard Gage Daye scored a career high of 70 points and St George’s Luke Davies hit some incredible shots to keep them in the game, totalling 57 points.
“At one stage I was bowing to Gage, he played like a basketballing god,” Heat coach Allan Mullins said.
“He was on fire, like, let’s get all the best plays for the season and put them into this game,” Mullins said.
Heat coach Allan Mullins was blown away by way his team executed the game plan; to run, run, run.
“We had scored 89 points by half time, I’ve never coached a team that’s done that,” Mullins said.
“The game was pretty much over by then.”
Knowing St George played a double header last weekend the Heat worked to run them off their feet, forging an early lead, ahead 41 to 24 point by quarter time.
“They just couldn’t keep up with us.”
Zac Maloney also scored a career high; 33 points, keen to edge ahead of teammate Scott Hare’s record of 32.
The Heat hit 27 three pointers, “that’s just an incredible number,” Mullins said.
Key defensive players also made a strong contribution.
“I’m really happy with big Scotty Hare, he did what he needed to do, and Joey Howard, they couldn’t keep him off the board, he asserted his dominance on the rebound,” Mullins said.
“With Brendan Hill coming off the bench he can muscle up and play good defence.”
Maloney corked his knee during the game and under his doctor’s advice he should recover for next week’s game.
The Heat performed to a packed stadium, and the crowd were ecstatic
Next week the Heat prepare for their greatest challenge of the year as they take on Sydney Uni at Sutherland Stadium.
“It’s a pity that game is the semi final game, I think whoever wins it will win the lot,” Mullins said.
Sydney Uni have dropped just three games all season, and during those losses they played without their two starters.
Results
Wagga Heat 161 d St George Saints 112
Top scorers: Heat: G Daye 70, Z Maloney 33; Saints: L Davies 57, D Berry 20.
Draw
Semi-finals
Sydney Uni Spiders v Wagga Heat
Sutherland Basketball Stadium
Saturday, August 1
