ALTONA Gators led at every change en route to a memorable 90-71 win over Warrnambool Seahawks in the Big V basketball men’s division 1 at Warrnambool Stadium on Saturday night.
The Gators refused to let up until junk time in the fourth as they piled on the misery for a Seahawks team languishing in the lower reaches of the ladder.
Shaun Phelan produced one of the best individual performances of the season.
The power forward had 21 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks in a sensational display.
A feature of the Gators’ victory was the spread of minutes.
Gators coach Randy Shanklin used eight of his nine players for 10 minutes or more.
Mathew Jon (12 points) and Daniel Nichols (10) were the leading scorers after Phelan.
The Gators’ joy was short-lived.
They had a tough double header to contend with, returning from the long road trip and losing 75-65 to Hawthorn Magic at the Altona Sports Centre.
The Gators were slow starters on this occasion but, surprisingly, ran out the game well.
Phelan completed a monster weekend with 16 points and 14 rebounds against the Magic.
The split of results sees the Gators’ record at 5-7, making Sunday’s home clash with lowly Craigieburn Eagles a must-win encounter.
Meanwhile, the Altona Lady Gators lost 52-50 to Camberwell Dragons on the road in the Big V women’s division 1.
