By JARROD POTTER
CASEY couldn’t edge out a power-packed Keysborough in a heated nine-point loss on Saturday night.
Fouls aplenty flew as vitriol reached fever-point late in the game – with player Jono Hawes and coach Stewart Baird both ejected from the match.
The addition of point guard Eric Miraflores and forwards Chris Jones and Jackson Houpt gave Keysborough coach Nathan Vogt plenty of options to rotate as starting centre Kevin Benn (seven points) found early foul trouble.
The battle between Miraflores and his defenders – Casey guard trio Chris Murray, Steve Michalski and Brad Szalek – proved captivating while under the basket Jones and Houpt had their hands full with Matt Witherden and Ash Szalek (13 points).
Holding on while his team mates succumbed to foul trouble and the referees’ consternation, Casey’s Matt Witherden (41 points, 11 rebounds, five assists) carried the offensive task as he pushed through the key, hit five-of-eight long-range three-pointers and chopped out defensively against the Cougars’ forwards.
It was Witherden’s third big scoring game consecutively – scoring 28 last weekend against Mornington and 25 points prior to that against Western Port.
Matt Pebole (13 points, nine rebounds) also found his way to the basket, but would not be pleased with his four-of-11 from the field.
The Cavaliers women defeated Keysborough 66-41 with coach Tim Parker giving the full roster an extended run against the Big V newcomers.
Jess Szalek (14 points, 14 rebounds) rattled off her third double-double of the season while Amy Mcfarlane (12 points) and Lara Pauline (four pints, eight rebounds, five assists) controlled the back-court.
The youth men were unable to knock off Keysborough in a 54-67 loss.
Ryan Sinclair (10 points, nine rebounds, five steals), Brandon Paris (10 points, eight rebounds) and Alistair Parker (nine points, six rebounds) stood tall in defeat.
Casey men and women both face North East Bushrangers on Saturday night.
