Evans, Galvin, Gardiner & Barbour step up for Buccs in time of need

The Geraldton Buccaneers went down to a Cockburn Cougars side looking to make play-offs on Saturday, before the second fixture of a home double-header was cancelled on Sunday.

Buccs coach Dayle Joseph said with two games against strong sides to go in a stop-start season, the aim was to continue developing his young side and make opponents earn anything they got, and called for support on the road for the final round.

“We’ll go undermanned a little, but we’ll certainly play with what we’ve got as hard as we can and make teams earn it,” Joseph said.

“Any support is good support.”

A road trip to Perth and tough match-ups against third-placed Willeton Tigers and a Joondalup Wolves side in eighth next weekend beckon for a Buccs side hit hard by injury and player departures.

Youth will be a feature again for a side that has thinned as the season has gone on.

Saturday night’s match finished 79 to 52 in favour of the Cockburn side who arrived with a full complement of firepower.

Harry Evans had more than 13 minutes of court time against the Cougars, making 57 per cent of his field goal attempts and grabbing a rebound.

Will Galvin continues his development and stepped up for the Buccs with the most minutes on court of anyone, playing more than 35, grabbing 12 defensive rebounds and one in offence. He was also second-highest scorer, with 11 points.

Aidan Gardiner also pulled down eight defensive boards and two in offence in over 26 minutes on court, while hitting a three.

Elijah Barbour provided a highlight for a Buccs side lacking some firepower from outside, making two of his five shots from outside the three-point line on his way to top scoring for the home team with 12.

Geraldton Amateur Basketball Association administrator Nerolie Gerreyn said referees had called off Sunday’s fixture against Kalamunda Eastern Suns due to humidity causing a slippery court surface.

She said the Buccs were looking at solutions, thought to be due to recent heavy rain.