THREE games in six days did little to fatigue the Latrobe City Energy BigV men who registered maximum points from their division one double header at the weekend.
A week which began with an exhibition match against a visiting Chinese under 19 team, ended with back-to-back victories over Southern Peninsula Sharks and McKinnon Cougars.
The six-point win over the Sharks on Saturday marked Energy’s first away points of the season, and the team remains unbeaten at home following its 74-66 defeat of the Cougars on Sunday.
“It was great to get the monkey off the back… it was our first road win of the season,” coach Les Stothard said.
“We set a goal at the start of the season to try and win every home game and at the moment we’re doing that.”
Stothard said the extra court time this week gave the team a chance to adjust to Russell Permenter’s return to the line-up, who looks to have settled back in.
Permenter racked up 20 points and 14 rebounds against Southern Peninsula and came up with another 14 rebounds on Sunday at home along with a couple of big blocks.
“The guys are starting to learn their roles and getting Russ his shots and the other guys their shots,” Stothard said.
“I think the results are starting to show that he’s getting accustomed to those guys and we’re getting accustomed to him again.”
Jordan Canovan led Energy’s offense over the weekend, with 41 points in total, while Calvin Rees hit double figures in both games.
Energy was dominant on Sunday, and put together a full four quarters of intense basketball.
“We played hard… we had something to prove after last Saturday night,” Stothard said.
“The guys are fit, there’s no doubt about that; the last quarter has been our best quarter throughout the season.
“To beat a side as good as McKinnon at home it really sets us up for the rest of the season.”
Energy remains in the top half of the ladder following their winning weekend, and sits in seventh with four wins and three losses.
The Latrobe City women did not fare as well as their male counterparts, going down to Hawthorn Magic.
Big V
Division One men
Latrobe City Energy d Southern Peninsula Sharks 71-77
Latrobe City Energy d McKinnon Cougars 74-66
Division One Women
Hawthorn Magic d Latrobe City Energy 67-48
