Tough double loss weekend for Slammers

It was a tough weekend for the Printsync South West Slammers men’s team, who suffered losses to the Geraldton Buccaneers and Stirling Senators within 24 hours of each other at the Eaton Recreation Centre.

On Saturday night, the powerful Buccs were too good for the Slammers, claiming a dominant 110-78 victory.

In what was a heated game, the Buccs had too many scoring options across the floor, while the young Slammers outfit were down before the game had even started, with captain Clive Weeden not playing because of a foot injury.

Slammers import Brian Voelkel spent the entire night in a tough contest against Geraldton captain Matt Wundenberg, who got a technical foul early on, but had the last laugh when the American was ejected in the third quarter.

Young Slammer Travis Durnin was outstanding, scoring 24 points, grabbing 10 rebounds and three blocks.

But there was little in the way of support, as Gokul Natesan (22 points), Colter Lasher (16 points, nine rebounds and eight assists) and Aaron Ralph (17 points, four rebounds) dominated.

The Slammers were much more competitive the next day against the Senators, when they lost 102-96.

Despite leading at quarter time, the Slammers found themselves down by four points at the main break and needing some luck to go their way.

They continued to battle hard, but when Voelkel and Durnin were fouled out of the game in the final term, the ask was just too much for the young side.

Voelkel scored a team-high 23 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, while Michael Lay hit 20 points and Brandon Thompson impressed with 19.