31
Dec
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Bronzed Boomer Nathan Sobey has Phoenix rising
Phoenix go to 10-9 and into NBL ladder log-jam
- Phoenix lay down championship marker with five-point win against Illawarra
- Nathan Sobey scored a game-high 25 points
- Trey Kell III held to 16 points on 30% from the field
South East Melbourne Phoenix has rescued its season from the ashes. Their 0-5 start cost head coach Mike Kelly his job, but the Phoenix went into Illawarra's home gym on New Year's Eve and put down a marker beating the top-of-table Hawks 110-105 (Game Centre) on December 31, 2024.
It is the second time South East Melbourne has beaten Illawarra in the past four weeks, as Josh King's squad enters 2025 full of momentum. The Phoenix is now 10-9 on the season and 10-4 since Kelly took over.
The match was a see-saw battle from the opening tip, with neither team able to establish a commanding lead. But the Phoenix did the job on Hawks star Trey Kell III, holding the dynamic scoring guard to 16 points on 30% from the field, blunting the Hawks back-court one-two punch of Kell and Tyler Harvey.
The Phoenix held a slim 60-59 advantage at halftime, but the Hawks refused to go away, keeping the game tight throughout the third quarter. It wasn't until the final minutes that South East Melbourne managed to create some separation, thanks to a 9-0 run that pushed their lead to double digits, led by Nathan Sobey.
Illawarra, showing the grit that has become their hallmark this season, fought back valiantly. Tyler Harvey, who finished with 20 points, spearheaded a late charge that brought the Hawks within striking distance. However, the Phoenix's balanced attack and superior three-point shooting ultimately proved too much for the home side to overcome.
The statistics tell the tale of a closely contested match. While the Hawks dominated the boards, out-rebounding the Phoenix 49-40, it was South East Melbourne's efficiency from beyond the arc that made the difference. The visitors knocked down 11 three-pointers at a 36% clip, compared to just 4 for Illawarra at a meagre 19%. This disparity in long-range shooting was the key factor in the Phoenix's victory.
The 34-year-old NBL veteran Nathan Sobey was the standout performer for South East Melbourne, pouring in a game-high 25 points on an efficient 8-from-15 shooting, including three crucial three-pointers. His ability to create his own shot and knock down clutch baskets in the fourth quarter was instrumental in securing the win.
Sobey was part of the Australian Boomers team that won bronze at the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2021.
Sobey's backcourt partner, DJ Walton Jr, also had a stellar outing with 17 points and a game-high 11 assists, orchestrating the Phoenix offence with precision. Joe Wieskamp added 22, and Matt Hurt 17 on 50% from the field.
For the Hawks, Sam Froling recorded a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds. His presence in the paint was a constant threat, but the Phoenix's perimeter defence managed to limit his effectiveness in the closing stages.
