Posted on 2 July, 2010
Men
Kilsyth (12-8) currently sit second on the ladder while Knox (11-9) are fourth and have closed the gap on the Swinburne Cobras in recent weeks.
The game is sure to fire up the emotions with Kilsyth defeating the Raiders 70-66 at Knox earlier in the year, in a game that secured the Cystic Fibrosis Cup. CJ Massingale and Quincy Henderson will once again lock horns (in depth match up analysis below) with the two playing in four fierce encounters over the past two years.
Kilsyth were able to hold Knox to just 66 points earlier in the Season and will need to repeat that performance. The Cobras are averaging 78 points per game in 2010 but have struggled of late at the offensive end and will need explosive scorers Fernandez Lockett, Matt O’Hea and Ryan Bathie to find their rhythm but the crucial match up could be in the middle where Tim Lang will battle Lester Strong.
Lang is averaging 14.7 points and 6.6 rebounds so far this season while Strong (12.7ppg, 8.8rpg), who recently returned from an injury sustained in a car accident, has been below his best. Lang had the better of Strong in their earlier match up scoring 18 points and pulling down 10 rebounds.
Tip off is scheduled for 8.15pm with the winner likely to determine the result of the Ashes (combined score in both games).
Women
Kilsyth remain a top three team and legitimate title threat but must knock of the challenging Raiders who have been one of the League’s most in form teams since their slow start to the Season. The Swinburne Lady Cobras will take a six game home losing streak against the Raiders into the game and will be keen to reverse their fortunes against Knox. The Raiders were the last team to knock of the 2008 Swinburne Lady Cobras before they won the Championship and will be looking to disrupt Kilsyth’s run once again while throwing their hat back in the ring.
Former Cobras import Amy Denson will return to Kilsyth for the first time and the 2009 All Star Five member will be keen to impress against her old team. Denson will face the Swinburne Lady Cobras Ellie Manou (13.6ppg, 11.6rpg) who has been a force inside for Kilsyth in 2010.
Both Kilsyth and Knox are high scoring, fast running teams who average over 75 points per game, the difference will likely come in the rebound count where Kilsyth average seven more a game than the Raiders.
High scoring Deanna Smith and her Knox counterpart Sarah Graham will be the main offensive threats for their respective teams but the result will likely come down to who has the better support cast. Both teams have deep rosters which will be called upon in what is expected to be a physical encounter.
Key Match Up
Quincy Henderson v CJ Massingale
Quincy Henderson the 2009 Defensive player of the year and CJ Massingale, one of the most explosive scorers in the SEABL over the past five years and 2010 League leading scorer will reignite a passionate individual rivalry on Saturday night.
Massingale has proved the difference in Knox’s wins over Kilsyth over the past two years including last year’s preliminary final. Quincy had the better of Massingale in last year’s Ashes and the Cystic Fibrosis Cup this year which Kilsyth won.
Massingale is averaging 25.7 points this year while Henderson has taken some big defensive scalps while averaging 9.2 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.
Ellie Manou v Amy Denson
Denson (18.4pts, 11.1rbds) is averaging just below her 2009 numbers and has been a key contributor to Knox’s move up the ladder. Denson signed with Hobart for the 2010 Season but made the decision to leave the Club before the opening round and joined Knox in Round 4.
Denson was the Round 4 player of the week and has been a solid contributor since. Manou has been one of the Swinburne Cobras most consistent performers in 2010, providing a strong inside presence at both ends of the floor.
Manou will need to contain the high scoring Denson whose range at the offensive end is deceptive. Whoever can stay out of foul trouble and win this match up will likely lead their team to win.
Key Statistics 2005-2010
Women
Game Statistics 2010
| Kilsyth |
Knox |
|
|---|---|---|
| Points |
76.3 |
74.5 |
| Rebounds |
43.5 |
36.3 |
Knox leads the series 12-5 since 2005
Either Knox or Kilsyth have played in all SEABL Grand Final except 2006 since 2005. Knox 2005, 2007, 2009 and Kilsyth 2008
Men
Game Statistics 2010
| Kilsyth |
Knox |
|
|---|---|---|
| Points |
78.3 |
86.7 |
| Rebounds |
37.1 |
39.3 |
Kilsyth leads the series 7-6 since 2005
Either Knox or Kilsyth have played in the SEABL Grand Finals since 2005. Kilsyth 2005 & 2007 and Knox 2006, 2008, 2009.
ASHES RESULTS
2010 – Unknown?
Men – 3 July 2010 8.15pm
Women – 3 July 2010 6.15pm
2009 – Knox won by 14 points
Men – Kilsyth 83 def Knox 75
Women – Kilsyth 64 lost to Knox 86
2008 – Kilsyth won by 1 point
Men – Kilsyth 103 def Knox 94
Women – Kilsyth 72 lost to Knox 80
2007 – Knox won by 13 points
Men – Kilsyth 96 def Knox 93
Women – Kilsyth 73 lost to Knox 89
2006 – Knox won by 35 points
Men – Kilsyth 71 lost to Knox 86
Women – Kilsyth 65 lost to Knox 85
CYSTIC FIBROSIS CUP RESULTS
2010 – Kilsyth won by 10 points
Men – Knox 66 lost to Kilsyth 70
Women – Knox 66 lost to Kilsyth 72
2009 – Knox won by 35 points
Men – Knox 80 def Kilsyth 69
Women – Knox 80 def Kilsyth 56
2008 – Kilsyth retain draw
Men – Knox 106 def Kilsyth 85
Women – Knox 62 lost to Kilsyth 83
2007 – Kilsyth won by 28 points
Men – Knox 82 lost to Kilsyth 95
Women – Knox 60 lost to Kilsyth 75
2006 – Knox won by 32 points
Men – Knox 112 def Kilsyth 93
Women – Knox 88 def Kilsyth 75
