Geraldton Buccaneers soar as Isby fits in
The Geraldton Buccaneers are feeling confident ahead of next week’s duel against second-ranked powerhouse side the Warwick Senators — and with good reason.
After talking the talk, American import DeAngelo Isby walked the walk, with fine performances in the Buccs’ wins against the Willetton Tigers and Cockburn Cougars in Perth at the weekend.
Isby was the Buccs’ top scorer on Saturday, adding 30 points towards the narrow 101-92 win against the Tigers at Willeton Stadium.
The Chicago-born bruiser went all-in again on Sunday, scoring 26 in the side’s 99-65 defeat of Cockburn at Wally Hagan Stadium.
“My first game went great, the team really allowed me to fit in and I felt like I played really good,” Isby said.
“I’m really confident — I never lacked confidence, and I’m hoping that will rub off on the team and we continue to win.
“I think we’ll continue to improve and become more of a unit.”
The 22-year-old said he did not bother keeping track of how much he scored.
“I just play,” he said.
“The game is 90 per cent mental and 10 per cent physical — the team and coach get that, too.”
Buccs coach Dayle Joseph said Isby fitted like a glove into the side’s offensive structure.
“He didn’t rely on his one-on-one stuff to score — he scored within our offensive, which was fantastic,” Joseph said.
“He showed that he’s got the ability to take a game on when it’s there to be taken on.”
Joseph said Liam Hunt was the top player against Cockburn and among the top two against Willetton.
“He had an awesome weekend. He didn’t do all the scoring, but the work he did on the rebounding and his efficiency was outstanding for the weekend,” he said.
Joseph said Sunday’s win was not sealed until late in the the game.
“We didn’t get away from Cockburn until late in the third, then early in the fourth we sort of kicked away from them,” he said.
“In the next week we’ll work hard on our execution of stuff and make sure we’re prepared for whatever the Senators throw at us.
“It’s that time of the year that we get a chance to be tested against the best teams, so I think it’s a good time of the year to come across them and see where we’re at.”
The Buccs now sit third on the State Basketball League ladder.
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