Sport

Seymour Blasters pencil in home semi-final appearances

By Aydin Payne

Jan 31, 2023

On the move: Seymour Blasters’ Katelyn Russell. Photo by Wayne Herring

Are you ready to pack out the Seymour Sports Stadium this Saturday night to cheer on the women’s and men’s Blasters?

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That’s the question that the Blasters are asking their loyal followers ahead of this weekend’s do-or-die semi-final clashes, with the men’s and women’s sides fighting for a spot in the Country Basketball League north-east grand final.

Both matches will be played at Seymour’s recently renamed Gerrard O'Rourke Stadium.

The women’s outfit capped off their stunning regular season with a 72-66 triumph over Wallan Panthers and have now booked in a home final against Albury Cougars this Saturday evening.

Tayha Watkins was the top-scorer with 30 points for the Blasters in a performance that would be of no surprise to her peers and Seymour supporters.

Kasey Lennox chipped in with 10 points while Jess Del Brocco contributed with nine.

The Blasters started strongly in the first quarter with a 25-14 lead over the Panthers, but Wallan fought back in the second quarter to reduce the deficit to just seven points at the main break.

In the zone: Seymour Blasters’ Olivia Pearce. Photo by Wayne Herring

The Panthers made a last-ditch effort in the fourth quarter to try and steal the win, however the Blasters' defence was too strong and they ran out six-point victors.

They’ll take to the floor before the men’s side, who progressed through to the post-season with an unbeaten record thanks to their 10-point win over Wallan.

Standout performer: Seymour Blasters’ Tayha Watkins. Photo by Wayne Herring

It was undoubtedly one of the most challenging nights of Seymour’s dominant campaign, with the players and coaching staff hit by a devastating injury to one of their gun talents.

In total control of the match and up 48-30, disaster struck with star tall Keenan Gorski helped from the court following a knee injury he sustained right before the half-time buzzer.

Rising high: Seymour Blasters’ Tyler Best. Photo by Wayne Herring

Blasters men’s coach Craig Hockley said he was unclear of the severity of Gorski’s injury as they awaited the results of the scans.

“Keenan hurt his knee right on the buzzer before half-time. Everyone is worried and we’re thinking of him.”

“They (Wallan) played better but we were just flat. To the boys’ credit they got the job done.

Despite losing one of their standout contributors offensively and defensively, Hockley expects his charges to be able to cover the hole.

“Trying to replace someone who averages over 22 points per game isn’t easy but one of our strengths is our depth,” he said.

“A few of the guys are going to have to step up now.”

Focused: Seymour Blasters’ Jack Murphy. Photo by Wayne Herring

There were still plenty of positives to take from the round 16 77-67 win.

Guard Tyler Best continued on his rich vein of form with another classy scoring effort to finish with 27 points.

Hockley praised Best’s efforts over the past month as the talent’s game has transformed from “a passing to a scoring mentality”.

Locked in: Seymour Blasters’ Jordan Hockley. Photo by Wayne Herring

The Blasters were able to dominate the game at both ends of the floor before Gorski’s injury which prompted a change in rotations.

Jordan Hockley came back to play in his first match in more than three weeks in another promising sign for the Blasters ahead of the upcoming semi-final clash.

Meanwhile, last Saturday night was a memorable occasion for three of the Blasters’ beloved names.

Former players Mark Sartori, Christian Brock and Shane Williams all had their jersey numbers retired in a celebration of their contribution and career at the Blasters.