High in protein; Sydney Kings vs Townsville Crocodiles - Entertainment Centre - 03/10/05

Ethan Switch - Tuesday, 4 October 2005 - Print Version

Flies. Damn flies. Spring isn't here until the incessant insects are back out in force. Waiting in line at the box office, they make sure the people know it's coming up close to summer.

Finger licking glow sticks fly from the silver section and into the backs of heads in the gold. Spotlights in the dark introduce the Sydney Kings in a classy showing of simple light effects. Comatose floodlights keep the Entertainment Centre in the moments before dusk as the clock stays forever on three minutes. Black drapes around the dead back section of the venue present an air of cosy; with the low lights the ceiling feels equally suffocating.

Sydney Kings clip a three with Jason Smith clearing the way. Not more than two minutes into the first quarter and the entire game, Crocodiles' Larry Abney races through to collect two personal fouls. Townsville look to a lead only to see Ben Knight blaze through in a heat wave to strengthen the start of Sydney's game with 34 on 24.

One of the radio stations have a disc jockey on the loose. The game announcer calls and coos all over the mike with a slathering of vocal reverb for that next non-stop block of rock. Exclaim! Love song dedications cannot be far behind after the reports back from the live and loud local rock crew.

Second quarter play sees the Kings hold a tight defence around the three-point line. Wayward Crocs slipping through the initial barrier finding the basket an easy hole to sink shots in. John Rillie disappears and fades away farther than a standard jump shot. Townsville keep an eye on the scoreboard but on the shot clock. Heavy pressure keeps the margin spreading with 63 to 42 in favour of the homers.

Flat out on their faces and flipping up in straddle somersaults, pikes and all the simple moves. Kids from the Ryde RSL trampoline club warm up and never really get into whatever it is they're warming up for. Muddler of names, their coach or supervisor yanks them off midstream, unceremoniously. Impressive all the same, especially with the ease of their moves, higher and higher into the speakers hanging over the centre of court.

The Harlequins cheerleaders, still as the Rosebery Suttons Dancers, return from the change rooms looking different. Fatigues, or army prints, and they recycle the use of the dancers/cheerleaders to great effect. No point in bringing in ringers when the local product more than satisfies. Right? Right.

Quarter three sees the dunking machine Rolan Roberts collect a couple more fouls. Only after the referees grant him the time to hang from the rim though. A monster slam from the free throw sends Roberts down waiting for the final. New blood, and one giant of a man, Ian Crosswhite continues to spin around on his feet as the officials issue his travel tickets. Again and again. Luke Kendall plays an impressive quarter to flay the visitors as the score balloons to 97 and 64.

The Lion works his crowd loving magic in the sections fed by Gates A and B. Taking minutes on end, the mascot milks and milks till the teats can squirt no more. And then the Lion squeezes more as the stands go wild and loud over bundles of T-shirts at the ready and free. This is the Lion in his element. This is the Lion at his best.

Final quarter moves see Ben Knight collect a face full of hurt. David Barlow is a monster scorer and just appears all over the place with his hands making few misses. Ryan collects the pool over the group with Roberts walking off with his sixth foul. No dunk for the papers, a lost tech foul finding him his seat. Crocodiles' Brad Newley runs with his guns and shoots like a singer in a nightclub. Not enough though. Sydney Kings drown the Crocodiles in a horrendously shameful 34 point spread ending the spree at 128 to 94.

Ethan Switch