GAME DAY MAG ISSUE 2, 2018-19
S T E L BUWLILDCATS
VS
, 2018 R E B O T C O THU, 25TH
6:50PM (AEST) TIP-OFF
BRISBANE CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE
ROUND 2 WRAP
BRISBANE V PERTH The Brisbane Bullets couldn’t get the job in Perth against the Wildcats and captain Adam Gibson has challenged his team to man up and play tougher with the return encounter this Thursday.
That brought the Bullets back within 11 but the Wildcats had the answers and by three quartertime were back out to a 17-point advantage to remain in control.
The Bullets made a perfect start to the NBL season winning on the road against the New Zealand Breakers before losing at home to the Cairns Taipans.
Bairstow hit two straight shots to start the fourth period and then Matt Hodgson and Mika Vukona helped Brisbane to another 4-0 shortly after to make the deficit 14 with 5:40 remaining.
But playing in Perth hadn’t been the worst hunting ground for Brisbane over the past two seasons winning twice in four attempts at a building that the Wildcats have only ever lost 21 times in, so the Bullets did make the trip for Saturday’s game with a degree of confidence.
The Bullets would also get back within 13 after four quick points from TeRangi, and even 12 on the back of threes from Gliddon and Stephen Holt before Perth finished the game with a Mitch Norton triple to claim the 15-point victory to remain unbeaten to start the season.
Despite a couple of early buckets from Cam Bairstow, the game didn’t start great for the Bullets and they were never really able to work their way back into the contest after falling nine points down by quartertime despite a couple of triples from Jason Cadee and Adam Gibson.
The positive was that nine players scored for the Bullets but Cam Gliddon top-scored with 13 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Reuben TeRangi opened the second quarter with a three to give Brisbane a good start but Perth immediately responded thanks to Jesse Wagstaff and despite Gibson closing the half with his second make from long-range, the home team went into the sheds up 49-32. Brisbane again made an encouraging start to the third quarter too scoring six of the opening eight points of the half, including a three from Cam Gliddon.
Reuben TeRangi added 11 points and four rebounds, Cam Bairstow nine points and five boards, Mika Vukona eight points, five rebounds and four assists, Jason Cadee eight points and four assists, Adam Gibson eight points and four assists, Matt Hodgson seven points and six rebounds, and Alonzo Gee six points. Bullets coach Andrej Lemanis felt the way his team started never gave them a chance. “The intent and energy in the first quarter, in particular, the tone
was set by then and we gave up 28 points and a lot of those came as a result as offensive rebounds,” Lemanis said. “And we made them miss at times, but when you give them second shots and the ball is going through the net still, they can get their defence set and they can also feel good about life while we’re on the backfoot a little bit offensively. “I thought we did a better job of addressing that in the second half and played with a better intent, and kept them to two offensive rebounds, but at the end of the day you have to put the ball in the basket. We had 72 shots to their 61 but we shot at 36 per cent and they shoot at 51 per cent.” Brisbane captain Adam Gibson put the onus back on his teammates to come out with a more focused, disciplined and tough approach moving forward. “I just think we need to play tougher and the stats are a little misleading because it says we won the rebound count, but it didn’t feel like that out there,” Gibson said. “I think we need to man up and look in the mirror a bit at ourselves as individuals, and come out and execute the scout better and not let Bryce Cotton get wide open shots. It just takes time as a pro to lock into what we need and what the coaches put forward for us.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
CAMERON GLIDDON Gliddon calls the shots – averaging at 20pts in his first game with the Bullets, and 11pts in his second
MIKA VUKONA Vukona will make you pay if you send him to the line – currently standing at a 100% field goal average for round 1
IMPORT IMPACT STEPHEN HOLT The 6’4” guard played for Saint Mary’s College before playing professionally in the 2014/15 NBA Development League. Holt averaged close to 16 points per game playing for Melbourne United in 2015 along with All NBL 2nd team honours. In 2016/17 he played in Spain and the Czech Republic before joining the Bullets for the 2017/18 season. At the end of the season Holt returned to Poland playing in the grandfinal before re-joining the Bullets in his more preferred Guard position for 2018/19.
ALONZO GEE After an eight-year stint in the NBA, Gee is ready to show Australia what he has got. Averaging at 3.3 rebounds and 6.6 points per game within his NBA career, this 6’6” import is the perfect fit for the 2018/19 Bullets side. Cementing his worth within the first round of the season, Gee is already averaging at 2.5 offensive and 5.5 defensive rebounds. With an impressive professional portfolio and having played over 400 NBA games, the Bullets are excited to see the impact this import will have both on and off the court.
MEET YOUR SILVER BULLETS
ELLIE
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME A PERFORMER? Dance and performing has always been an important part of my life. I began dancing at 4 years of age and rhythmic gymnastics when I turned 7 years old. All throughout my school years I trained 30+ hours a week – learning to balance my studies with both training and dance classes. I was fortunate enough to be selected to represent Australia internationally as an elite rhythmic gymnast and I seized the opportunity to travel to countries such as Russia, Bulgaria, South Africa, Egypt, Portugal, America and New Zealand to compete. It was through these experiences that I developed a love of stepping onto the stage (or court) and giving everything to my performance. There really is no better feeling than hearing an audience cheering and knowing that they appreciate your hard work. Performing has always remained important to me and I have continued to pursue my career as a dancer whilst studying a Bachelor of Laws at the University of Queensland.
WHO IS YOUR BIGGEST INSPIRATION? Walt Disney himself. Nearly everyone has heard of the Walt Disney Company. However, most people are unaware that his later success was preceded by years of hardship, setbacks and bankruptcy. Walt Disney is the epitome of perseverance – he teaches us that ‘all of our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.’ This is a quote that I try to live every day by and is a constant reminder to me to always go for my dreams, even if they are daunting!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE DANCE EXPERIENCE SO FAR? Definitely working as a cast member and performer at Shanghai Disney Resort in China. Every single day I went to work with the sole intention of making people happy and I treated every day as an absolute privilege. Not only did I get to make incredible friends from all around the world, but I was able to experience life in another country whilst being paid to do what I love! It’s definitely an experience I will never forget!
WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO BECOME A SILVER BULLET? I have always admired the Silver Bullets for their professionalism, talent and dedication to the team. Having just finished my second season with the Brisbane Broncos Cheersquad, I wanted to train with a group of industry professions who would continue to push me to grow as a dancer. The Brisbane Silver Bullets are more than just cheerleaders – they’re a family, and I am so excited to come into that family and to experience firsthand exactly what it means to be a Brisbane Silver Bullet!
WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS SEASON? Experiencing my first basketball season and (hopefully) cheering the Brisbane Bullets to a championship! We have a great team and with enough encouragement from the Brisbane Bullets fans, I think that we can cheer them to victory!
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