Livestream: Portland Coasters host Millicent Magic in big round five Country Basketball League clash

Millicent started their CBL visit to Portland in some style, disposing of the hosts in the women’s game, but the men couldn’t continue the momentum. Watch the REPLAYS of both matches.

The wait was certainly worth it.

While every other team in the south-west conference of the Country Basketball League had played at least one game, Millicent began their season with three consecutive byes.

For their season bow on Saturday night, they faced Portland - and blew them away.

The Coasters had won two of their three games so far this season but were never in this contest.

Millicent had scored nine points before Portland hit their first basket and the game was essentially done by halftime when the visitors led by 26 points, 50-24.

They kept up the pressure in the second half, hitting a further 56 points to run out 106-61 victors.

Meanwhile, Portland turned in a second-half pointscoring masterclass to inflict a humbling defeat on visiting Millicent in the men’s clash.

Leading 46-22 at halftime, the Coasters piled on 66 points after the break to win 112-54. It was their fourth win of the young season.

PREVIEW

Portland believes an off-season reshuffle has them primed for another premiership challenge.

The Coasters men’s team have lost the last two Country Basketball League grand final series and are shaping as a contender once again.

They host Millicent on Saturday night and KommunityTV will LIVESTREAM that game and the earlier women’s clash in a big doubleheader. First game tips off at 6pm. The men start at 8pm.

They’ve had a mixed start to the season with three wins, a loss and a forfeit inside the opening five games, but coach Rebel Noter is confident his side is on the right track.

Hayden Annett has played a key role for Portland this season. .

“I’ve been really pleased with our start to the season, especially when we’ve had a fair few personnel changes,” he said.

“We’re a young group as well and the team is showing great development so far. This weekend’s game is a bit of an unknown with Millicent having only played one game so far.

“I know they’ve got some young and exciting players so it should be a really good test for us.”

Nathan Hardingham looms as one of the keys to Portland’s hopes this weekend.

Through four games he has averaged 19.25 points per game.

Meanwhile, Hayden Annett won the praise of Noter after making a strong return to Portland.

“Hayden recently moved back into the area and it’s been great to get him involved in the program again,” he said.

“His leadership has been fantastic. We’ve got quite a few leaders on the court who are helping to guide the younger guys.”

For Millicent, Jack Haggett looks set to be his team’s best offensive weapon having scored 27 points in the Magic’s only game this season.

Millicent’s women’s side will finally take to the court this season when it travels to Portland.

The Magic have had four byes to start the season but will be looking to make their mark on the competition starting this weekend.

They had won back-to-back titles before sitting out last season due to Covid.

Millicent coach Damian Venn said his side had plenty of exciting talent to keep an eye on, including four NBL1 players.

They include Emily Winter, Georgia Winter, Jasmin Howe and Jesse Venn.

“We’ve got a real mixture of experience along with up and coming players,” Venn said.

“I’m quietly confident we will be around the mark, but you never know. It’s great for our less experienced girls to play alongside players who have been in the NBL1 competition.

“The CBL is tough to read at the moment and it looks like a really exciting competition.

“We’re champing at the bit to get started.”

Portland currently sits third on the ladder with a 2-1 record after three games.

Key players for the Coasters include Tyleah Barr, who is the competition’s second leading point scorer, and Summer Millard.