TAMWORTH Thunderbolts returned to the court rusty but revving up for some big Waratah State League games ahead with a double success on their home court on the weekend.
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After beating Port Macquarie Dolphins 86-58 on Saturday night, the John Ireland-coached Thunderbolts beat Coffs Harbour Suns 101-58 in the Tamworth Sports Dome yesterday.
It was a double that Ireland said was based on defence.
“Our defence was very energetic,” he said after yesterday’s 43-point victory over the Sunday.
“A lot better today, the offence is still a bit scratchy.”
Ben Eather was one of the stars yesterday, the young power forward top scoring with a 20-point haul that included a couple of dunks and one great alley oop.
His emergence is a major positive for the Thunderbolts and followed a 10-point effort in the win over Port on Saturday night.
Luke Krug was another to star yesterday with a 16-point haul after just two points against the Dolphins.
The winning weekend started well with Saturday night’s 28-point win over Port Macquarie Dolphins on the Sports Dome’s show court.
The Thunderbolts converted a 53-24 half time lead into an 86-58 victory in a “patchy” display, Ireland said.
“We were a bit rusty,” Ireland said after Saturday night’s match.
“But that was to be expected after six weeks off.
“There were some patches of some really good stuff tonight.”
The game also enabled Ireland to give some of his young players such as Ben Eather, Jayden Pryer and Ricky Ward extra minutes on the floor.
Unselfish Kyle Gupton led the way with Rhys and Max Chillingworth also excelling.
Gupton posted 19 points including the first seven points of the third quarter.
Brothers Max (15) and Rhys Chillingworth (14) hit some high spots along with Eather’s 10 points, which also included two big dunks.
TAMWORTH THUNDERBOLTS 86 (Kyle Gupton 19, Max Chillingworth 15, Rhys Chillingworth 14, Ben Eather 10, Justin Leehy 9, Ricky Ward 5, Matt Monckton 4, Jayden Pryer 4, David Bourke 4, Luke Krug 2) d PORT
MACQUARIE DOLPHINS 58 (Josh Kelly 10, Jake Wallis 10, Brad Barnett 9, Lance Guild 8, Ryan Adams 8, Josh Smith 7, Luke Jones 6).
TAMWORTH THUNDERBOLTS 101 (Ben Eather 20, Luke Krug 16, Kyle Gupton 14, Matt Monckton 12, Justin Leehy 11, Max Chillingworth 10, Jayden Pryer 7, Rhys Chillingworth 7, Ricky Ward 3, David Bourke 1) d COFFS HARBOUR SUNS 58 (Josh Brooke 27, Blake Kelly 13, Travis Slater 10, Dylan Parbury 5, Jacob Webber 2, Simon Mackey 1).