The Wollongong Roller Hawks have continued their perfect start to the 2019 NWBL season to remain on top of the league ladder.

 

The Roller Hawks were too strong for the Sydney Metro Blue Hornets across all three games, with Sydney unable to keep pace with Wollongong’s array of points scorers.

 

“We started off pretty shaky in the first game and improved throughout and I think (coach) Brendan (Dowler) will be most happy with that,” said captain Brett Stibners after Sunday’s game. “We shared the ball a lot these last two games especially and you see that with the spread of scoring.”

 

Brett Stibners played three sensational all round games, scoring two triple doubles (and missing a third by just one assist) to finish with a triple double average for the weekend of 19.3 points, 11.6 rebounds and 13.3 assists.

 

“This weekend my shooting was terrible compared to the first round. Yesterday I shot the ball one time in the first quarter and that was with 8 seconds to go but I’m really happy doing that, sharing the ball around, drawing a couple of people and passing it to a person in a better position.”

 

On Friday night, five players finished in double figures with every player seeing gametime in each of the three games.

 

“The way we play is a team way. We share the ball around and  that’s the way we get open shots underneath.” said Stibners.

 

“Our mid point line up got a really good run in all three games and they did very, very well again and that’s going to be important for us as we go towards the finals.”

 

The Roller Hawks’ win on Saturday coming largely from their ability to shut down the Blue Hornets’ key player, CJ McCarthy-Grogan. The Sydney high pointer had 23 points on Friday night but was sitting on just 4 points going into the fourth quarter of Saturday’s contest before finishing the game with 12.

 

Shawn Russell also starred for the Roller Hawks averaging 23.7 points and 9 rebounds per game.

 

“I feel like in the last round I wasn’t quite in my position yet but now I feel like I’m blending with the team really well. It’s really good to get back and be a starter and find the role that suits and the points will come from that.” said Russell.

Despite winning by an average margin of 33.3 points per game, each contest was scrappy with the referees not afraid to blow the whistle as both teams looked for an edge.

 

“When we go out of our structure it always gets messy. When we try and outpush our opponents by ourselves, it gets messy. When we slow down, cross for ourselves, move the ball around, we get open shots. Teams can’t compete with us when we do that but it’s just a matter of us keeping our concentration.” said Stibners.

 

The Roller Hawks’ next test is against the Kilsyth Cobras in Melbourne in what will be Russell’s first game against his old team on their home court.

 

“I love a bit of a grudge match. I love the boys there and it’s always good playing against them. They’re physical, it’s going to be tough. It’s going to be similar to this weekend but probably a lot closer. “ said Russell.

 

“Kilsyth are a class above Sydney. Tristan Knowles is one of the best scorers in the world, they’ve got a guy who shoots better than Tristan, so we’re going to have to be on our game but if we stick to our crossing and moving the ball around and sharing the scoring we should have no problem beating them but we really need to be switched on.” added Stibners.

 

ROLLER HAWKS ROUND 2 RESULTS

Friday May 31: ROLLER HAWKS 80 def SYDNEY 49

Saturday June 1: ROLLER HAWKS 84 def SYDNEY 45

Sunday June 2: ROLLER HAWKS 90 def SYDNEY 60