Basketball On The Internet.

DID we see a genuine NBL championship contender emerge last night as the Hawks plucked Melbourne 102-87?

At full strength for the first time this season – and remember, they have room for another import – Illawarra led United by as many as 25, weathered a comeback to within four, then ran away comfortably after sticking consecutive 3-balls.

Kevin Lisch and Kirk Penney shared 51 points and 10 assists but it was AJ Ogilvy’s activity, especially at the defensive end, which made Illawarra so impressive. Ogilvy finished with a 15-point, 12-rebound double-double, but also had four steals and blocked six shots.

He was fun to watch and so were the Hawks generally, floor general Rhys Martin returning and making an immediate impact.

The rumours are moving quickly today that sacked Townsville Crocs import and reigning league MVP Brian Conklin is on the Hawks’ radar to fix the one area they still may be suspect, power forward.

BIG O v KING CONK: Might they yet be teammates?

My (e)mail is Hawks management is keen but the team concerned about chemistry and balance, which is pretty good right now.

Remember what happened last year when the Hawks dumped popular naturalised forward Dave Gruber? Their season went straight down the gurgler.

And someone would have to go to accommodate King Conk.

Stay tuned now because this one definitely is percolating.

While Townsville?

Don’t be surprised if someone of the James Ennis ilk – maybe not as athletic but possibly more skilled – is “bleeding green” soon.

Tonight: CAIRNS will be wearing black tonight, possibly mourning a season of lost opportunity and hosting a Sydney team looking to impress new coach Joe Connelly. I have to go for the Taipans because a loss here makes a playoff return seriously unlikely and I’m not ready yet to give up on the Orange.
IN Perth, it will be interesting to see if Damian Martin takes the court after suffering a knock to the face in NZ which did him little good and has him back on a soup diet – and we’re not talking chunky soup. The Wildcats twice already have beaten the 36ers in Adelaide so, at home, it’s tough to see a different result.

Last night: ILLAWARRA HAWKS 102 (Lisch 26, Penney 25, Ogilvy 15; Ogilvy 12 rebs; Lisch, Penney, Martin 5 assts) d MELBOURNE UNITED 87 (Goulding 25, Kickert 21, Warrick 13, Holt 10; Blanchfield 6 rebs; Holt 5 assts) at The Sandpit, WIN Entertainment Centre.