The Mount Gambier Lakers men’s and women’s teams have continued their successes in the 2022/23 season, facing off against local rivals Millicent Magic last weekend in the Country Basketball League season.
Both teams were highly competitive throughout the men’s match, with the Lakers side suffering some minor injuries leaving them with only eight players.
Simon Berkefeld again proved how much of a force he is on the court, only getting a single foul with 37 points on the board, his highest of the season so far.
The teams swapped the lead back and forth throughout the match with Millicent holding onto the lead at three-quarter time before Mount Gambier rallied with a determined comeback to record a 93-76 win.
Berkefeld was ably assisted by Ben Young with 23 points, Shaun Lock on 15, Toby de Wit on 12, Jordan Hollit on 4 and Jack Wilkinson with 2.
Millicent’s leading scorer was Jack Haggett with 22 points, followed by Jackson Bowden on 18, Clinton Gallio on 13, Kade Bradley on 10, Aidan Schultz on 8 and Austin Fuller with 5.
The following day the team faced the Warrnambool Seahawks, with the boys able to secure a back-to-back win over their opponents, 93-73.
Kane de Wit led with 27 points, followed by Simon Berkefeld on 25 (making a weekend total of 62 points combined), Ben Young and Shaun Lock with 10, Toby de Wit and Jack Wilkinson on 7, Miguel Duque on 6 and Braiden Ousey with 1 point.
The women had a rough start against Millicent Magic, going down 81-53 to the top team which has been a dominant force all season.
Magic put the pressure on the Lakers throughout the match and led the scoreboard all night.
Cara Nulty was pivotal with 11 points, Ambah Beveridge and Nikeisha Facey secured 9 a piece, Emily Dawe on 8, Tenielle Human and Casey Horrigan with 6 and Ava Collins and Satu Aumo with 2 points of their own.
The girls were able to make a comeback against the Warrnambool Mermaids and win 57-45, where Sophie Miles led with 11 points, Mikaela Horrigan on 10, Ava Collins on 9, Tenielle Human on 7, Emily Dawe and Keryl Ousey on 6, Casey Horrigan on 5 and Satu Aumo with 3.
Both teams, sit second on their respective tables ladder, with the men slotting in behind the Ararat Redbacks and the women behind Millicent Magic.
The teams will travel to Torquay, Victoria to face the Surfcoast Chargers this weekend where they will look to add another win to their season.
