Geraldton will have to wait a tad longer for its on court reunion with its former star Johny Narkle as the Buccs overcame a fast-starting Cockburn Cougars by 10 points on Saturday night.
The last time the two sides met, Narkle was not cleared to play, and this time around, the two-time grand final MVP missed the match due to illness after leaving Friday night’s match against the Slammers early.
Nonetheless it was still high-octane encounter between the two top-four sides, with the Cougars unable to deny a final quarter comeback, despite leading most of the night — by as much as 16 points.
Despite Geraldton only leading for four minutes, they ensured they led when it counted despite a strong first and third quarter performance from Cockburn.
The Cougars were quick to pounce with strong defence, forcing six turnovers and punishing those mistakes hard to take an 11-point lead at quarter-time.
From there, the Buccs recovered well in the second quarter, reducing turnovers while tightening up on defence, enabling them to go on an 11-point scoring run, getting within a point at half-time.
After outscoring Cockburn 24-14 in the second period, the contest evened out again, despite the Cougars going on an eight-point scoring run, which Geraldton were able to reign back in to remain close.
With less than four minutes remaining, Josh Keyes landed a triple to hit the lead before he landed another five points, with Devondrick Walker and Verle Williams also adding to the tally.
Williams top scored with 21 points and had six rebounds and four steals, while Liam Hunt had another double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
Walker also was busy with 20 points and five assists, as Keyes finished on 16 points and nine rebounds.
Another former Buccaneer in Akeem Springs finished as Cockburn’s top scorer with 21 points.
In Sunday’s clash in the weekend’s doubleheader on the road, Geraldton gave Warwick a 47-point hiding at Warwick Stadium, with Keyes and Matt Norman unable to be contained.
Geraldton controlled the contest from the outset, putting up 33 points to 18 in the first quarter, with 25 points belonging to Norman and Keyes.
Both sides lacked key players as Walker was missing from the Buccs’ line-up, while the Senators were missing Will Tschetter — who was damaging against the Buccs last time out.
The Buccs were able to completely shut out Marshawn Blackmon, who averages 19.60 points this season — holding him scoreless.
Warwick did themselves no favours, shooting at 28.21 per cent accuracy, landing 5/36 of their triples attempts, meanwhile the Buccs fared much better, shooting at 64.06 per cent while landing 15/29 triples.
Keyes recorded his first score of 30 or more points, finishing on 34 points alongside six assists and rebounds, while Norman brought up a season-high 28 points with five steals and three assists.
Hunt got yet another double-double with 17 points, 16 rebounds — 14 of which were defensive, and five assists.
Warwick had one player who reached double digit points, with Tristan De Zwart Forsyth nailing 29 points and nine rebounds.
Geraldton now sit on top of the ladder with two rounds remaining, with 16 wins and three losses following the two wins at the weekend.
The Buccs play their final home game of the season on Saturday, July 18 against East Perth Eagles at 7pm.
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