MIA League basketball
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EAGLES coach Brendan Sims knew taking on Griffith in round two of the 2014 MIA League was going to be a tough ask and he was proved correct.
The young Leeton men's team was wiped off the court in a second-quarter blitz to fall to the Demons 71-23. Meanwhile, in the women's competition, the Eagles had a last-quarter lapse to allow Griffith back into the game, going down 47-39.
With some predicting revenge being on the cards for the Demons' one-point grand final loss last year, Griffith came out with intent against a Leeton side that did not include one player from that game.
"It felt like Griffith had a point to prove," Sims said.
"I don't think there was anyone on the team to get even with, but they certainly achieved that.
"They came out very pumped up, we didn't match them early on.
"We hung tough in the first quarter, but in the second quarter they blew us off the court. They started to hit a few shots and their size and strength started to wear us down.
"Initially we didn't cope with that well and they were getting second shots. On the flip side, we struggled to get offensive rebounds."
That second quarter was a 24-0 rout and although Leeton did not win a quarter for the game, the others were certainly closer.
The women's game was definitely closer as Leeton took an early lead and held it until the last quarter.
Stand-in women's coach Shelley Lang said her side played well until three-quarter time.
"They stopped attacking the ring," Lang said. "For about two minutes they had a lull.
"Griffith got three fast breaks and they scored ... nine points in two minutes." n Continued Page 26
Having players in foul trouble didn't help the cause either.
"Alice (Greatz) came off with 10-and-a-half minutes to go, 'Webby' (Clare Vant) came off with four-and-a-half minutes to go," Lang said.
Despite not getting the win, there was a marked improvement in the team.
"Webby said they played better," Lang said.
"Maddison Clyne was excellent, she dominated the court in patches. They all played really well."
Despite the final scoreline, even Sims could find positives from his game.
"The scoreline wasn't good, but it was more about how we went about the business," he said.
"They're starting to show they can work together. There were moments when I thought, 'here we go'.
While the team worked well defensively, it couldn't buy a basket.
"We had plenty of open shots ... they were a lot of outside shots," Sims said.
"There were moments that really pleased me. They are learning you can't hide on a basketball court.
"Bryce Butler fought hard all game and he is getting better positionally. Ty Fletcher was outstanding. He stepped up as an under 16s rep player and didn't look out of place."
The Eagles have a bye this week with Griffith hosting Narrandera in Griffith.
"The boys were eager at the end of the game," Sims said.
"They realised they've got to put a bit of work in to get a win over Griffith and get another win over Narrandera."