Eels and Mustangs battle it out for TBL supremacy

BASKETBALL: Two teams that have taken the Toowoomba Basketball League are set to battle it out for bragging rights in an old-fashioned showdown.

Josh Allen. Picture: Kevin Farmer

The Southern Cross Bricklaying Eels boast the best defence in the league, having not conceded 80 or more points through three rounds of the competition.

Standing across from them will be the Washed on James Mustangs, who produced a competition-high 125 points in a win over the Pump Panthers, including 45 in the fourth quarter.

“It’s a big match-up for us. We’re the hunted now after going through the first three rounds undefeated,” Eels coach Matt Cox said.

“In our first game they didn’t have their big three stars who have been showing out really well for the past few weeks.

“JJ (Joseph Johnson) and JaKobe (Hunter) are definitely in our scouting report.

“We’ll trust our guys to guard straight up, and that defensive intensity is our identity at the moment.”

Cox said it was part of their plan from the draft to build a roster centred around length and defence, and he has praised the results they have been able to secure through the first part of the season, including the form of guard Josh Allen.

“We drafted a long, athletic and smart defensive line-up and we’ve shown that through the first three games. Our defence is the best in the league,” he said.

“With two top quality scorers like Mayo (Manylok Malek) and Josh, it makes it easy to get out in transition.

“Josh’s development has been massive this year. He had a really solid GPS season and was a massive piece for that Grammar side.

“He played a back-up role in the QSL for the Mountaineers, and later in the season was playing 30 minutes a night as a starter.

“Coming back to the TBL, he’s growing confidence and is backing his playing ability.”

A competition bye round means teams will have tonight off, before taking to the floor again next Monday.

Originally published as Eels and Mustangs battle it out for TBL supremacy