Sport
5 November, 2024
Defence 'the standard' for Hornets as it climbs to top of the CBL ladder
Horsham defeated Millicent and Colac in round five of competition.
Horsham Hornets' head coach Scott Benbow praised his side's defensive performances in round five of the CBL.
The Hornets defeated Millicent 94-55 at home on Saturday, November 2, before a 74-57 road win against Colac on November 3.
"Since the first game, you can really see that [our defence] it's a standard now," Benbow said.
"Offensively, we were always going to be pretty strong, but our defence has been unreal this year."
Austin McKenzie top-scored with 26 points for the home side, as it held Millicent to just six second quarter points.
Horsham exacted revenge on its opponents, something Benbow wanted after a loss in the season's opening match.
"Millicent got us in that first game. We were a little bit undermanned and undersized, but we had a full side available [on the weekend], so we wanted to try and claim that one back off them," he said.
"It was a good team win."
The Hornets were without McKenzie and Freddy Frew for the trip to Colac, but Cody Bryan [18 points] and Charlie Campbell [17] stood up.
Bryan also impacted the game on the defensive end.
"He is just a defensive weapon; he stopped the best players," Benbow said of the reigning Owen Hughan Medallist.
Campbell made the most of his extended minutes due to the absence of McKenzie and Micah Livingstone fouling out.
"He took his opportunities, and he just jumps out of the gym," Benbow said.
"[Campbell] plays at a really high level and is starting to feel part of the team and getting to know what we do."
Attention now turns to a home game against Hamilton on Saturday, November 9, which coincides with the Horsham junior tournament.
"It will be absolutely sold out; the joint will be packed," Benbow said.
"There were about 300 people there on Saturday night too, which was an amazing atmosphere, [and the boys] just thrive off that."
The Hornets will look to utilise its 'bigs' on Saturday evening, whilst Joh Miller will pose a threat on the offensive end.
Tip-off for the match is scheduled for 7pm.