The Journo
Years ago
Sabres set sights on Warriors
Sturt has claimed revenge and eliminated the defending champion Eastern Mavericks with a dominate performance at Pasadena.
Careering away from the opening tip the Sabres, minus Boomer Oscar Forman, generated far too many easy baskets for the Mavericks to keep in the contest.
Before you could check the scoreboard for the first time, Sturt had already set up a match winning 20-point lead, but there was always a possibility Eastern would come back.
But that didn't eventuate, the Sabres totally outclassing Eastern, who eliminated Sturt in the same game 12 months ago, Sturt running out 108-82 victors.
It ended a spirited defence for the Mavericks, who covered the loss of Jacob Holmes with the evolving Ben Madgen.
The Mavericks season peaking a bit too soon and failed to have a real winner against Sturt, besides Brad Bungey.
Sabres coach Rick Castle will be hoping that the omens of 2004 will continue this season as the championship team came through the elimination stage of the playoffs.
Sturt will tackle a sore and sorry Woodville line-up at the Dome next Saturday night after the Warriors were stunned by a Brad Sullivan buzzer beater 91-90 at Wayville.