Say hello to the Tamworth juggernaut.
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The Thunderbolts remain one of the state’s top teams after continuing their perfect start to the Waratah League men’s division one season on Saturday night.
Tamworth now sports a sublime 6-0 record courtesy of an emphatic 92-66 win on the road against the Central Coast Crusaders.
The Bolts travelled south without injured talent Rhys Chillingworth, who ruptured a ligament in his ankle while playing in the local club competition.
Tamworth’s depth was further tested when centre Cody Miller also suffered ankle damage during the match.
Despite spotting size to the Crusaders, the Bolts up-tempo style of play proved a thorn in the home side’s hopes.
Despite Central Coast opening up an early 11-2 lead, Tamworth held sway at quarter-time by seven points.
The Bolts then strangled the Crusaders in a memorable second term as coach John Ireland explained.
“We kept them to four points for the quarter,” he said.
“The defensive effort was outstanding, it was a great job from every member of the team to shut them down the way we did and open up a 46-20 lead at halftime.”
From that point there was ever only going to be one winner.
American import Kyle Gupton hit a game-high 24 points, earning praise from his coach.
“Kyle stepped up massively for us,” he said.
“I think it was one of his best ever games in Thunderbolts colours.”
The evergreen Chris Skilton (13 points) was pivotal at both ends of the floor, and along with skipper Justin Leehy, filled in superbly to cover the gaps left by Miller and Scott McGann.
Jayden Pryer and Max Chillingworth each hit 10 points, while Armidale talent Abe Dwyer-Westhorpe seized his opportunity with both hands.
The teenager played his most amount of minutes for the season and drained nine points.
“Abe played a great game, he produced a massive dunk and then shot a nice three,” Ireland said.
Former Tamworth ace Luke Krug featured for the Crusaders and scored a total of six points.