Empty casings; Sydney Kings vs Cairns Taipans - 2005/06 NBL Semi Finals: Game 1 - 15/02/06

Ethan Switch - Thursday, 16 February 2006 - Print Version

Blood takes to the porcelain of a nearby toilet basin. The rich raw essence not losing any vitality as it drips drops to the rushing waters. Time takes on an age as the latchy few outside the Entertainment Centre box office find clipboards in their faces. Phil appears to be one such note taker, and as a man, appears to be a short wide woman looking for a speech impediment to call her own.

Slipping late into the seats with under a minute, the first quarter is lightening fast. The Kings are up over the Taipans with a healthy ten point margin. 31 to 21 in favour of the home crew.

Dazzling, the Lion shoots a sweet over-the-back shot from half court. Swish and the ball sings right on through the hoop, slapping the net with charm. On the throw of the contestant, the shot isn't as sugary. Falling armlessly short and woefully inadequate, the Lion continues to reap the heaping applause. The winner here is a demonstration.

Second quarter musings leave the Kings barely showing any signs of fight against Cairns. Defence is solid, the Taipans finding it hard to sink shots without at least rubbing oil on the elbows. Sydney shoots with a dismal rate, the game is all on the back foot barely keeping the head of the visitors from rising above the surface. It's close and the score reads 47 to 44 before the break with Taipan's Darnell Mee doing much to sweat it out.

Entertainment is sorely lacking for the half time. Even the Rosebery Suttons dancer cheerleaders take leave and are off the court. The dawdling feet of 16 year veteran fans mugging for a group photo proving the only movement on court. Quiet and paltry floor show.

Kings' Mark Worthington dominates the third quarter. From the ring and on the outside, he nails shots with an apparent ease. Open up and wide, there is no contest, blowing out the scores to notch an impressive 15 for period. Dunks rage on as the Kings spread a raft, Cedric Webber blocks a shot to kick a Bradley Sheridan, Worthington and Jason Smith line up for a quick run of dunking Kings to churn the crowd. Melvin Thomas follows this minutes later, the intensity of the third rampant with energy not seen in the first half. 84 to 63.

Slinging beanies into the crowd, the clamour is low key. Few in attendance ready to deck each other for freebies.

Fourth quarter enters without Queen in the back. Kings' David Barlow and Taipans' Kane Oakley work off to move the points up the board. Taking a breather, the scores slow down as the pace livens up. Down to the end, Kings stay on top of the visitors with no sense of threat in the floor. Kings at 112 to Cairns' 87 and up one in the series of three for the semi finals.

Ethan Switch