Q1: 14-5

As the whistle went, the heat was on. There was a freshness to the players and with that, a whole new competition. The Bombers were instantly aggressive in the paint, getting a great deal of rebounds - both offensive and defensive. The Hawks managed to stay in the game by gaining a few interceptions and crucial steals. However the Bombers’ speed in the lane combined with the fast ball movement, meant that the Hawks couldn’t close the distance enough and ultimately finished the quarter with a 9 point deficit.

Q2: 32-17

Aiming to redeem their poor scoring in the first quarter, the Hawks pulled up 3 times, missing 3 and only rebounding 2. It was a dry spell out of the gate and the Hawks barely managed to keep the gap similar - using a strong defence to reduce the Bombers’ impact. Amo - no.7 managed to hit a lethal 3 points for the Hawks, however the Bombers responded with a 3 of their own. This was their sweet spot. The Bombers continued with a back-to-back 3 as Putt - no.4 started to heat up. However, their dominant scoring was cut short by the end of the first half, creating a chance for the Hawks to break their flow in the 3rd quarter. 

Q3: 50-30

Starting off the second half, the Hawks managed to see the light, with the Bombers turning over on the first few plays. Helped by some great steals and interceptions - and supported by low scoring from the opposition - the Hawks managed to close the gap down. However this was short lived, as although starting poorly from the 3 (unlike Q2), the Bombers had finally found their flow and were now 2 for 2 at the 3. The biggest question was: could they keep it up? The Hawks managed to make a fantastic contested layup with 4 minutes remaining in the quarter. Yet, once again, the Bombers managed to respond by getting a quick layup of their own, followed by another 3 - removing anyone’s previous doubts of consistency. It became a 20 point differential to end the quarter, with the Hawks attempting a desperate 3 point shot - unfortunately missing. 

Q4: 56-42

The Hawks were hard out of the gate, putting in an astounding performance, attempting to close the imposing gap. It worked, as the unsuspecting Bombers were unable to match the intensity of the offensive game. Although getting a fantastic layup right at the rim, the Bombers were unable to score against the Hawks tight defence. Both teams suffered from high turnovers and defensive rebounds. However, with tensions high and the game heating up with 5 minutes left, the Hawks managed to cut the lead down to 52-38 with some superb steals and interceptions. The Bombers once again tried at their preferred range, however were unable to find the mark. However, their strong defence managed to hold the Hawks off, blocking shots that could have been daggers to the team. This ultimately led them to maintain the lead and finished the game with a successful 56-42 difference. 

The game's highest performing player was Baker - no.11. Dropping an immense 23 point game for the Bombers, he was able to rack up 9 field goals for 13. This fantastic scoring, combined with crucial rebounds, demonstrated his skill at running both offence and defence. 

The game demonstrated the intensity of both teams, as well as some fantastic scoring and defensive sets. Although the Hawks were unable to come away with the win, it was still a brilliantly fought battle, and their achievements in the 4th quarter were special to watch. The Bombers came away with a great 1st win of the season, setting a tone for the rest of the league. 

Bombers Highlights:

• Baker (#11) led the Bombers with an outstanding 23 points, shooting 69.2% from the field (9-13), including 3-6 from beyond the arc. He also added 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal.

• A. Brotherston (#10) contributed 9 points on 57.1% shooting (4-7), grabbed 6 rebounds, and tallied 3 assists with 4 steals.

• O. Putt (#4) played an all-around game with 8 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists.

• C. Percival (#13) had 5 points and dominated the boards with 8 rebounds.

Hawks Highlights:

• B. Miles (#34) was the standout for the Hawks with 10 points on 57.1% shooting (4-7) and added 3 rebounds.

• Richardson (#0) scored 8 points, shooting 66.7% from the field (4-6).

• J. Davis (#24) had a solid performance with 6 points, a game-high 9 rebounds, and 7 assists.

• Amo (#7) added 8 points with 3 rebounds.

Team Performance:

• The Bombers shot 48.9% from the field, including an efficient 42.9% from three-point range.

• The Hawks struggled offensively, shooting 32.1% overall and just 9.1% from beyond the arc.

• The Bombers’ defense forced 11 turnovers while committing only 4 themselves.

Scoring by Quarter:

• Q1: Bombers 14, Hawks 5

• Q2: Bombers 18, Hawks 12

• Q3: Bombers 18, Hawks 13

• Q4: Hawks outscored the Bombers 12-6, but it was not enough to close the gap.

Final score: Bombers 56 - Hawks 42