On Friday night Westlake Boys Premier Basketball team played its second home game of the season, against Liston College. Westlake got off to a quick start behind some thunderous dunks from big man Thabo Manyere and some easy baskets in the paint from our guards, Marc Malingin and Josh Hidalgo. Defensively the team were rebounding well and able to push the ball up the floor and were up 27 -12 at the first break.
Westlake continued the second period as they had finished the first, with Scott Telfer scoring both sides of the break. During the second quarter behind some great rebounding from everyone on the floor, especially Lucas Mennenga (12 rebounds), Telfer (11) and Manyere (10), Westlake managed to push its lead out to 30 points at the half, leading 56 – 26.
Liston came out of the changing room after halftime firing on all cylinders, and Westlake did not match their intensity and effort to begin the third quarter. Liston drove inside on offense and forced Westlake into some costly turnovers on the defensive end and they started the quarter on a 14 – 7 run. Coach Campbell called a timeout to try and refocus the Westlake Boys team. It did the trick and Westlake managed to get the momentum back to end the quarter behind some great effort plays on both ends, dominating the boards once again and looking after the ball. After a big scare in the third quarter Westlake was still in the lead at 79 – 46.
Westlake continued the effort from the end of the third quarter into the fourth quarter. Liston kept playing hard. The combination of players Westlake used in the final quarter of Greg Vukets, Luke Day, Scott Telfer, James Moors, Lucas Mennenga and Ethan Martin, used their length to dominate the boards and make it tough for Liston to get inside the paint. When the final whistle blew, Westlake had managed a 101 – 60 win over a very spirited Liston team.
Scott Telfer had a very effective game, showing lots of effort on the floor collecting a double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds. Thabo Manyere also managed a double-double, with 11 points and 10 rebounds. James Moors had great all-around game, top scoring with 16 points, grabbing 7 rebounds and 5 steals. Greg Vukets scored 15 points to go with 4 assists and 4 steals. Lucas Mennenga did an awesome job on the boards pulling in 12 rebounds and scoring 7 points.
