CBL BASKETBALL returned to South Gippsland in Korumburra last weekend, as the Wonthaggi Coasters took on their next-door neighbours, the Korumburra Wildcats in their season opener on Saturday, October 4.
The crowd at Korumburra Indoor Recreation Centre saw Wonthaggi emerge with a comfortable 26-point victory; however, the result was not always a forgone conclusion.
At the end of the first quarter, only three points separated the teams, before Wonthaggi exploded in the second term, outscoring the Wildcats 29-14. The Coasters managed to keep this momentum rolling to the game’s end, snagging a handy 88-62 win to start their season.
Unsurprisingly, Vincent Monaghan led the way after returning from his recent NBL1 season with the Frankston Blues. He finished the game with 25 points, which included an emphatic two-handed dunk that helped shift momentum midway through the game.
Zac Mabilia was also a standout for the Coasters on both ends, pouring in 19 points while running the team’s offence. Jack Gaze impressed in his first game for Wonthaggi, finishing with 15 points, while Trent Westaway had 14.
Wonthaggi’s season opener provided a promising start, but the momentum didn’t carry into their Sunday clash at home against Moe.
Led by NBL1 sharpshooter Austin Shelley, who piled on a seemingly effortless 28 points, the Meteors proved far too strong, scoring at will on their way to a commanding 42-point victory.
Despite another solid outing from Zac Mabilia, who finished with a team-high 13 points and again impressed with his defensive work, the Coasters had no answers for Moe’s firepower, going down 100-58.
After a bye last weekend, Wonthaggi will now look to regroup in another double-header, facing Southern Peninsula on Saturday before backing it up against Traralgon on Sunday.
“The season is looking promising from last weekend. I believe we can make finals if we put in the work,” Monaghan said after splitting the weekend.
The Coasters’ women’s side will also be hungry to rebound after a narrow 50-48 loss to Korumburra and a 69-46 defeat to Moe in their opening round.