Thunder take it up to 'powerhouse team' in spirited home outing

Staying "in the fight" until the end, the North West Thunder showed it meant business against the Mt Gambier Pioneers on Saturday, July 8.  Standing tall in their final home double-header of the 2023 NBL1 South season, the Thunder took it up to the "powerhouse team."  Matching the Pioneers across all four quarters, the Thunder fell short in the match's final moments to take a one-point loss, 81-80.
It was a result Thunder coach Nick Haywood took plenty of positives from.  "The Pioneers are second on the ladder and a powerhouse team - they always have been," Haywood said.  "We stayed in the fight until the last minute, and only missed the last shot. That's how basketball goes sometimes."
Impressed by the strong team effort, Haywood felt each and every player contributed to the spirited performance.  "As a collective we played really well at both ends of the floor. The whole team had a hand in the energy and effort," he said.  Headlining the Thunder's courageous effort was Sekou Sylla with 19 points and seven rebounds, as well as Tre Armstrong with 17 points and six rebounds.
Turning the focus back to Friday, July 7, Haywood said the Thunder were too inconsistent in their meeting with Keilor at home.  Defeated 92-77, Haywood labelled the outing as "disappointing".  "We had patches of brilliance, but also patches of lacklustre disconnection in offence and defence," he said.  Sylla (23 points) and Viont'e Daniels (21 points) did the bulk of the scoring for the Thunder.
Ticking off his final home double-header as coach, as he gets set to step down from the role at the conclusion of this season, Haywood spoke of the added emotion the occasion provided.  "[This weekend] wasn't so much about me. It was about trying to get the win," he said.  "It has been a good ride but it's time for the next chapter. We've stayed together as a team through thick and thin, stayed on the same page and that hasn't wavered."