23 June
By Justin Schwarze
Western Port’s true colours shone through over the weekend as the Division One Women and Men dominated Chelsea in Pride Round.
At Patterson River Secondary College, the Steelers Women turned up defensively and completely shut down the Gulls. After leading 15-18 on the road at quarter time, the visitors extended their lead to 25-40 at the main intermission. Western Port’s defence was stifling, holding Chelsea to 30 percent shooting from two-point range and 16 percent from three in the second term.
The second half followed the same recipe of continuous defensive efforts, with Western Port allowing just two baskets in the fourth, leaving the hosts with five points in the period. It wasn’t Chelsea’s night as turnovers hurt them the most. Alyssa Wooding brought a good spark of the bench for the Gulls finishing with 13 points and 9 rebounds.
Western Port recorded 17 steals as Rachel Winters, Chloe Hicks, Alice Humble and Emily Ferrier all recorded three or more each. The squad partnered this with six blocks while dominating the rebound count and getting to the line 12 more times.
While the Steelers made their mark defensively, Rachael Wansbrough led the way on the other end with 18 points and 13 rebounds. Winters added 15 points and Humble scored 12.
With the final results being 75 to 42.
It was the Steelers Senior Men who handled their business in the second game of the night as they too took down the visiting Chelsea Men. Western Port jumped to the early lead 20-26 at the first break before doubling their buffer to 12 at halftime 45-57.
Chelsea couldn’t get going offensively to start the second half, going 0/4 from deep in the third as the visitors extended the margin. From there, the Steelers rounded out their strong performance by outscoring the Gulls in every quarter, rolling to a 76-99 victory.
Paul Brotherson posted an efficient double-double of 21 points and 10 boards on 9/14 shooting for Western Port. Kyle Gupton was the other Steeler starter in double figures, notching 13 points. The bench is where Western Port separated itself, with Daniel Piech Meat providing 22 points and 11 rebounds while Josh Cleary knocked down 6/8 shots for 17 points.
Both games were a part of Pride Round, a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community and everything it stands for. It was a great cause that highlighted the passion and love for the game as basketball is for everyone.
