Search goes on for winless Cowboys (From Dorset Echo)

Search goes on for winless Cowboys

8:07am Monday 14th January 2013 in Sport

BASKETBALL

TEAM SOLENT SOUTHSIDERS 78 WEYMOUTH GH PODIATRY COWBOYS 58

WEYMOUTH Cowboys travelled to Team Solent but failed to avenge their previous Solent Division Three defeat to the Southsiders and are still looking to register their first win of the season.

From the outset it was obvious that with a depleted roster of seven players, including two making their debuts, the Cowboys had to play their best basketball to overcome the home side’s full squad.

The first quarter was a low-scoring affair with both teams struggling to convert shots, while the defensive side dominating the rebounds.

The visitors’ energetic play in the second period, led by Giles Heaman and Jamie Harris, kept the Weymouth side in the game with the young Josh Turner converting a pair of tough shots to make a timely contribution.

The hosts made a number of three-point shots and the Cowboys failed to convert the home-side’s fouls into points and the home side eventually finished the half 34-25 ahead.

The Southsiders extended their lead in the third quarter by exploiting holes in Weymouth’s tiring defence and using their size to convert offensive rebounds.

Weymouth relied on the veteran duo of Harris and Heaman throughout the half with other notable moments of play from player/ coach Eric Olson and Gerry Legg in the fourth quarter as the home side stretched the lead beyond Weymouth’s reach.

Coach Eric Olson said: “We all know that if we can cut out some of the little mistakes then we will start winning again.

“It just comes down to holding ourselves to a high standard, making lay-ups and not turning the ball over, that said, I am happy with the way that we competed.

“Everyone played hard and didn’t back down against a team that was physically much larger than us.

“Even though we didn’t get the win, I think we should be proud of our spirit.

“Josh Turner and Jay Wilson both put in respectable performances on their debuts, showing that they have what it takes to compete at this level.

Cowboys: Jamie Harris 18, Giles Heaman 16, Gerry Legg 7, Josh Turner 7, Eric Olson 5, Jim de Bertrand 3, Jay Wilson 2.

Game MVP: Jamie Harris