Saints and CBC continue to set pace in men's division one competition

Saints and CBC are counting down to a round-eight showdown that could set the tone for the rest of the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Basketball Association’s men’s division one season after both squads notched victories in the latest round.

The rival clubs, who next meet on Friday November 29, have taken just six rounds to drive a wedge between themselves and the bottom two, Franchise and Olympians.

Second-placed CBC enjoyed a fourth win last Thursday night against Franchise, 85-73, built on a consistent offensive spread led by Bailey Hywood’s team-high 18 points.

Nathan Vince (17 points), Sam Morrow (13), Miles Tierney (11), and Jamie Bratton (11) also played big roles that offset Ethan Mcghie’s 15 points in a losing effort.

Franchise won the second half 38-32, but it was a classic case of too little, too late after they were blitzed to half-time, 53-35.

Franchise are locked on one win with Olympians, but they hold third spot by percentage.

The round was competed on Friday night when Charlie Scafidi’s game-high 31 points led Saints to a sixth win of the season against Olympians, 100-92.

Saints, who are unbeaten, also got excellent service from Hamish Cummings (29) and Michael Gardner (17), complemented by Laine Warena (12) and Zayden Clements (11).

In Olympians’ camp, Nicholas Shaw and Tyson McWalters combined for 49 points.

Round seven opens on Thursday night when Saints play Franchise at 7.15pm, and on Friday the clash between Olympians and CBC is at 7.30pm.

In last week’s women’s first-division clash, Olympians were untroubled, beating CBC 83-36.

It was Olympians’ fourth consecutive win to open the season and featured a combined 64 points from Jacinta Yarran, Kate Sidebottom and Ashlee Monaghan.

Matilda Gouge led CBC’s effort with nine points.

This Friday at 6.15pm, Olympians meet Saints, and the last round of division-one fixtures before a Christmas break will be played on December 12-13.

Ladders:

Division 1 men:

Saints 18 points; CBC 14; Franchise 8; Olympians 8.

Division 1 women:

Olympians 12 points; Saints 8; CBC 4.