Basketball: Flames’ fightback runs out of steam

The Rockingham junior Flames travelled to Morley to take on the Perth Eagles at the weekend with the U15 boys going down with a fight to the Perth Eagles, 67-56.

The boys clawed their way back from a 12-0 deficit to within five points, only to be behind the eight ball 35-20 at half-time.

A third-quarter revival made the game interesting, with the Flames defence paving the way, combined with awesome rebounding from Traj Palmer and McLeod Ngan-Woo.

Jimmy Emonds, with 14 points, Matt Ramsden (10) and Liam Ebert (11) kept the score ticking over, but even a last-quarter shooting display by Bailey Amos with 16 points couldn’t pull the game out of the fire for the Flames.

The U16 girls have had a lacklustre season to date, but this week stepped on the gas for a rousing 92-41 win.

Tyler Miles with 18 points and eight rebounds was a standout, as was court general Meletta Bourne (12 and 12), while Ebony Hunter chimed in with 16 points.

All played above themselves and spectators hope this is the turning point for future games.

The U18 boys’ number two side had a spectacular first quarter to take a 25-12 lead over their opposition.

The Eagles did not have much success against the Flames’ full-court press, with the Flames scoring at will.

The second and third quarters belonged to the Eagles, applying their own press which resulted in a 44-37 turnaround, helped by the Flames forgetting to box out under the basket.

The last quarter seesawed, with the Flames victorious 77-69.

All players were solid, with Dillon Fox, Luke Richards and George Tregear leading the charge.