New Geraldton Buccaneers Kasztorny & Blanchett face Dobson & Evans as the Pumas beat the Hawks

No less than seven Fenix Geraldton Buccaneers players hit the court on Tuesday as top side the Pumas got past the sixth-placed Hawks with a buzzer-beater in a local men’s basketball thriller.

Fenix Geraldton Buccaneer Harry Evans was the game-breaker, missing two free throws with the scores tied and two seconds on the clock before grabbing the rebound and hitting the basket moments before the buzzer.

The shot gave Pumas an 89-87 win, keeping them two points clear on the ladder.

Buccs coach Dayle Joseph said it was a good opportunity for the State-level players — including two new signings — to have a run-out before the winter competition starts.

“It’s good they’re able to play a few games in the local comp and get to know the other players and socialise, and it’s good they’re able to contribute, hit the scoreboard and get up and down a bit in game situations,” Joseph said.

“The guys playing get minutes, get up and down, and work on skills they need to be better at in game situations.

“The local comp gives them a bit more freedom to show their wares, depending on what their clubs want, and get back to enjoying playing basketball.”

Local product Will Galvin, who impressed for the Buccs last season, was the Pumas top scorer on the night with 21 points.

Teenagers Harry Evans and Tom Dobson each scored 20 points.

Their Buccs teammate Clayton Parfitt chipped in with 16 points.

Hawk Fletcher Klasztorny, a new signing for the Buccs from the Goldfield Giants, outshone them all on the score sheet — the 2.01m “two-three”, who plays as a small forward and guard, hit four buckets from three-point range and made 10 free throws to end the game with 32 points.

Hawks and Buccs teammate Ryan Blanchett, a 1.03m forward who has signed from the Kalamunda Eastern Suns, hit three three-pointers and ended with 10 points.

Bob Griechen, another teenager who stepped up for the Buccs last season, scored 14 points for the Hawks.

Joseph said with five new signatures the Buccs have likely finished recruiting and would now be working on getting their new signings to town.

All-star defensive player Cameron Coleman and guard Malik Meunier are in the Eastern States, while US guard Shaun Stewart is still at home.

South Sudanese international Mathiang Muo is in Africa following international duty.