Hobart Chargers’ blitzkreig sinks visiting Geelong Supercats
The men’s Hobart Chargers’ title hopes have taken another big step forwards with a commanding victory over the Geelong Supercats.
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HOBART’S high-octane offence shows no signs of slowing down after another blitzkrieg sunk the Geelong Supercats on Friday night.
The Chargers poured in 67 points in the first half to open up a 22-point buffer before coasting to a 109-96 victory that has put them firmly in contention for the NBL1 crown.
Recent inclusion Tad Dufelmeier was electric with 30 points on 11-14 shooting, setting the tone with 10 points in the first stanza as the hosts went at a ridiculous 70 per cent clip from the floor.
Dufelmeier and Jack Purchase (12 points, 12 rebounds) have added another dimension to an offence that already had big weapons in Koen Sapwell (17 points) and Jonathon Mines (11), with their inclusions in the past three weeks adding incredible depth to the squad.
The likes of Jack Stanwix, Ambros Eugster and Elijah Pawson continue to play important roles, but have more freedom and are thriving without the added burden of carrying too much load.
However while aware he has the arsenal to cause some major damage in the competition, coach Anthony Stewart remains as grounded as possible.
“We just have to keep focusing and make sure we understand the situation we are in, but that was a big win,” Stewart said.
“They are coached by an NBL coach and they have a lot of good players. Our guys came out to make a statement.
“We have a huge weekend next weekend with three games on the road so it was really a must win for us to set ourselves up and give us the best opportunity.
“But it is more and more likely this team could go a long way.”
Hobart’s rebounding weakness in the early part of the season has been covered with the recruitment of Purchase, with the Chargers enjoying a 44-35 edge on the boards and dominating points in the paint (60-38) against the visitors.
NBL players charging towards Hobart
A RAMPANT Chargers will face one of its “most challenging games” in several seasons on Friday night when a star-studded Geelong makes its way to Hobart.
The two clubs — who boast a long history of fierce, spiteful and exciting showdowns — have not met since the 2018 SEABL preliminary final, where the Chargers triumphed in front of 4000 fans at the Derwent Entertainment Centre on route to the south conference championship.
Coach Anthony Stewart is not hiding from this week’s task against an NBL calibre opponent despite last round’s pulsating victory.
Hobart poured in 118 points against Bendigo, with new recruit Jack Purchase (20 points, 10 rebounds, five assists) providing a double-double on his debut to bolster the firepower alongside Jonathon Mines (21 points) and Koen Sapwell (28).
But an equally “stacked” Supercats, already armed with Cairns Taipans sharp shooter George Blagojevic, American Isaac Turner and former NBL forward Owen Odigie, could gain Melbourne United championship winning duo Shea Ili and Jo Lual-Acuil, the latter who was named NBL sixth man of the year.
“Obviously they have a coach Justin Schueller who’s an assistant coach with Melbourne United and that’s why they’ve been able to get those guys in,” Stewart said.
“It will be one of the most challenging games that we’ve had over the last few years. They are loaded, full of talent.
“Whether they bring them all on the road I’m not sure but if you’re a basketball supporter, this is the game you want to come to.
“I’d actually like to coach against that and I know the boys are up and about and wanting to play against teams of the caliber of Geelong.
“To bring half the United and Cairns Taipans bench and starters to Hobart is huge. Coming up against Geelong, we’re going to have to be good on both ends of the floor to compete against the team with the caliber of players that they bring in.”
While the men (7-4) are gunning to remain in top four contention, the women are simply looking to find some positives in a campaign which has spiralled out of control.
Expected to be championship contenders, the group is languishing second last with a 1-10 record and meets a Geelong team regaining Sarah Blicavs, who spent time with Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA last year.
“If we can’t start to turn things around and start to show some improvement, it really will be time to say ‘well who’s interested in being around this club in the future’,” coach Mark Nash said.
“Particularly we could be looking at some of the younger players that probably aren’t ready, but will get that opportunity just to put their hand up.”
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