IT was an unfashionable, low scoring and scrappy affair that will not be etched in the memory, but the Werribee Devils earned the plaudits for refusing to yield in a 62-55 win over Sherbrooke Suns in the Big V basketball championship division at Werribee Sports and Fitness Centre on Saturday night.
The Devils, a young up-and-coming team promoted to the top flight this season, are going to be a tough nut to crack if this 48 minutes was anything to go by.
They showed in their round two victory over the Waverley Falcons before Easter an offensive artillery that can match it with the best teams in the competition, but on this occasion, it was all about the Devils fighting spirit and mental strength.
“The guys toughed it out,” Devils coach Paul Jones said.
“We just sort of plugged away and got some baskets at crucial times when we needed to get the baskets.”
Neither side would give an inch on defence.
The Devils shot at a woeful 23 per cent in the first period, a by-product of the Suns equally stifling defence.
They gradually improved their shooting percentage with better shot selection and came up with the big baskets at the big moments.
“A lot of that was due to Sherbrooke and the pressure they put on us,” Jones said. “We didn’t get our eye in, we weren’t allowed to.”
The Devils own defence was enough to quieten the visitors’ prime shooters.
They had a difference making big man in Simon Bradbury, who was a tower of strength with four blocks to go with six points and five rebounds.
“That was a bit of a break-out game for Simon,” Jones said. “The crowd loved what he can do, especially being able to block shots, his defensive effort was fantastic.
Kristian Rocci, who had 10 points, six rebounds and a pair of assists and steals, was busy on both ends.
The young spark plug used his athleticism on defence and his speed in transition to cause headaches for the Suns.
“He’s as good as anyone in the league athletically,” Jones said.
“He gave us a bit of a kick in transition out of defence to offence, and gave us some crucial rebounds when we needed them.”
Ever-consistent Muka Silver, veteran Mark Rizza and newcomer Matthew Boland were the other shining lights.
The Devils (2-1) will face defending champion Ringwood Hawks (1-2) away at Maroondah Indoor Sports Centre on Saturday night.
The Devils remain unbeaten in the women’s division 2, after comfortably accounting for Blackburn Vikings 72-45 at home.
Lisa Troyahn (18 points and nine rebounds) and Emma Coyne (12 points, six rebounds and four assists) filled the stat sheet.
The Devils (3-0) travel to Somerville on Saturday night for a clash with the Western Port Steelers (0-3).
