A Good Result: Captain

Illawarra Mercury

Monday November 3, 2008

TIM KEEBLE

HAWKS captain Mat Campbell has predicted his team's best is yet to come.

Such is the closeness of the 2008-09 NBL season, Wollongong jumped from seventh to fourth with Saturday night's 89-87 win over the Taipans in Cairns.

The Hawks have the luxury of a long break before their November 14 home game against the winless Gold Coast Blaze. The team has only two more matches - away against Adelaide and Townsville - for the rest of the month.

Down by five at half-time on Saturday, Wollongong overcame their recent third-quarter problems in style, outscoring the home team 28-19.

The final period was a 16-14 dogfight in Cairns' favour, but the Hawks did just enough to hold on for the all-important first road win of the season.

"We've been playing fairly well but it hasn't been for four quarters, so it was good to put a full game together," Campbell said yesterday.

"A lot of things went against us, but everyone contributed and we showed a lot of heart. Our confidence already feels like it's gone up a level, and the exciting part is that we still haven't hit our straps and reached our full potential.

"Obviously it's great to be up in fourth spot, but last night was also about respect. You have to win on the road to earn it, and now teams might respect us a bit."

Campbell had nine points (2/4 threes) and five rebounds against the Taipans, while the Hawks connected on 50 per cent of their shots as a team and had 46 rebounds to their opponent's 43.

Dave Thomas led Cairns with 17 points and Larry Abney finished with 16.

- TIM KEEBLE

© 2008 Illawarra Mercury

Back to News Index | Back to Home