Hobart Chargers men dunk ladder leaders Diamond Valley

The Hobart Chargers men sunk 40 points in the first quarter and top-of-the-table Diamond Valley never found a way back into the contest, even when the Chargers brought on their young cohort.

AN electric first half from the field has powered the Hobart Chargers past the top of the table Diamond Valley as Anthony Stewart’s side continues to exceed expectations.

The Chargers poured in 40 points in a breathtaking first stanza to set up the eventual 107-97 victory, a margin that flattered the Eagles as Stewart inserted his young players into the NBL1 contest for the last three minutes when leading by more than 20.

By halftime the hosts held a 66-47 lead courtesy of some blistering offence, shooting 63 per cent from the floor and 57 per cent from deep.

Jonathon Mines (32 points) had 21 at the long break, Zac White (16 points for the match) was a perfect 4-4 from the floor at halftime and Jack Stanwix (19 for the match, seven rebounds and seven assists) was also causing headaches.

Jonathon Mines continued his hot form for the Chargers, sinking another 32 points. Picture: Eddie Safarik

Hobart cooled off early in the third and with Robert Heath (21 points) driving Diamond Valley, the visitors made a charge, cutting the margin to nine points at one point before Hobart steadied on the back of a 7-0 run to restore order and keep control for the remainder of the contest.

The Chargers are now 4-2 and have set a perfect platform to launch into the season.

“We knew we were going to get some good shots against a team which is pretty poor on rotations because they are so big,” Stewart said.

“The pleasing thing for me is the first half we got through the transition stuff we have been working on at training.

“It is really the first time this season, and I know we have games, but it is the first time we have locked in offensively and did what the coaches asked.

“Good things happen when you listen.”

Koen Sapwell was the other Charger to finish in double-digit scoring with 11, while also providing six assists.

Collins stands tall as Chargers finally hit the board

THE pressure valve has slightly released for the Chargers women after they broke their NBL1 duck, but Mark Nash was far from getting carried away with a long overdue victory.

Hobart needed a big second half to get past a seven-player Diamond Valley at Kingborough Sports Centre, overturning a four-point deficit at the main break to register an 84-68 win and snap a five-match losing streak to start the season.

On the back of a monster performance from Ellie Collins (34 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, two steals and two blocks) and Maddie Garrick (23 points), the hosts outscored the Eagles 25-13 in the third period before putting the foot on the accelerator in the last.

Ellie Collins monstered her Diamond Valley opponents, pulling in 34 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, two steals and two blocks. Picture: Linda Higginson

While relieved at finally getting on the board, Nash was not impressed with the opening 20 minutes, which left his outfit teetering on the edge.

“If we had of lost tonight, there was no coming back for this group, as far as the season but also people and do you want to play for this club,” Nash said.

“They were the questions the players were asking themselves as halftime.

“It is relief, but still a fair bit of disappointment in that first half

“When we look at it, we knew this team was going to come in and be physical, be active, and that’s what they did.

“Seven players is almost unheard of but they outworked us in the first half, we were down double figures in the rebound count.

“For us, as one of the biggest teams in the league, we can’t continually get out-hustled on the boards.

“The players had some really good insights … Kylie McCauley particularly had some strong words for the group around pride and identity as a team.

“Thankfully in the second half we were able to get it done but still a lot of areas to work on.”

Maddie Garrick in action for the Hobart Chargers against the Eagles. Picture: Linda Higginson

The Chargers turned up the heat on the Eagles in the second half, forcing the visitors into 22 turnovers.

Garrick – playing her last match before heading off to Austria to help Australia’s 3x3 side qualify for the Olympics – had five steals, locking down on the defensive end.

“We talked about Diamond Valley, one of their Achilles heels is turning the ball over – they had 22 turnovers,” Nash said.

“Ellie Collins was outstanding tonight, defensively she has some stuff to work on in keeping her player in front but she was aggressive offensively and made some big plays when we needed them.”

Chargers’ small plan to bring down tall timber

“SMALL-BALL” will be on the menu for the Hobart Chargers as they look to bring down the tall timber of ladder-leading Diamond Valley in Friday night’s clash.

Coach Anthony Stewart said he was confident his undersized squad could use its speed and agility to its advantage.

“They’re huge, their starting (shooting guard) is 6’7” (200cm) and they don’t get any smaller across the board and we’re on the other side of the ledger,” Stewart said.

“We’ll be putting a lot of pressure up the floor.

“We just want to be disruptive, quick around the floor, making sure that we penalise their bigs.

“They’re pretty slow but if you miss a shot they take care of the boards so we’ve got to get up and down and try and compete as best we can.”

Stewart said his young side had exceeded his expectations to start the campaign.

“I’m shocked to be honest. The boys have done an amazing job,” he said.

Jonathon Mines has been one of the best players for the Hobart Chargers so far this season. Picture: Eddie Safarik

Key to that start has been guard Jonathon Mines, who leads the side in scoring with 22.4 points per game.

“His consistency is really good,” Stewart said.

The coach said he expected Mines to be back in seasons to come after being unearthed from Queensland via playing overseas.

“It’s similar to every player we get down here, they always want to come back,” he said. “Jonno’s not too far off being an NBL-calibre player. We got pretty fortunate getting him.”

Stewart said the Chargers had signed an NBL player and expected to sign another but was tight-lipped on who those players were, aside from “one big, one small”.

The NBL regular season wraps up on June 6 when players are then free to join the NBL1.

Targets linked to the Chargers in Harry Froling and Jarrad Weeks have been scooped up elsewhere.

Sydney Kings forward and 2018 SEABL championship-winning Chargers captain Craig Moller and Cairns Taipans guard Tad Dufelmeier have also been on the radar.