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NBL1 West 2022: Slammers’ new UK import makes debut

Headshot of Justin Fris
Justin FrisBunbury Herald
Raphell Thomas-Edwards showed plenty of heart in his first two games for the Slammers last weekend.
Camera IconRaphell Thomas-Edwards showed plenty of heart in his first two games for the Slammers last weekend. Credit: Jon Gellweiler

The South West Slammers men’s team were unable to get any reward for effort in their back-to-back games last weekend, going down to the Lakeside Lightning and Warwick Senators.

Lakeside Lighting d South West Slammers 96-84, Friday night at Eaton Recreation Centre

The Slammers headed into the contest sweating on the fitness of import Buay Tuach who was questionable with a hip flexor injury.

However, these concerns quickly turned around when it was confirmed Raphell Thomas-Edwards — a British Basketball League player on holidays in WA — had been granted permission from government and sport administrators to play for the Slammers.

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Before Friday night, Slammers coach Shane Goff was hopeful the UK star would be able to play — and his faith paid off almost instantly, as Thomas-Edwards’ appetite to attack the basket got the home side off to a brilliant start.

Unfortunately for the Slammers, something which has plagued them all season — three-point shooting — came back to haunt them once again.

A team who notoriously shoot well from beyond the arc, Lakeside shot more than 71 per cent (5/7) from three-point land during the opening four minutes, which forced Goff to call a timeout.

Despite keeping in check with the visitors for most of the night, the Slammers were unable to curb the influence of dynamic American import Landon Taliaferro, who dropped a game-high 45 points.

Remarkably, Taliaferro, a former NBA G-League player, sunk 11 of his side’s 14 successful three-point shots.

KEEPER STATS

Field goals (Lightning 22/39, Slammers 22/45); three-point attempts(Lightning 14/49, Slammers 6/24); free-throw attempts (Slammers 22/30, Lightning 10/21) total rebounds (Lightning 58-45 Slammers); assists (Lightning 24-9 Slammers); steals (Slammers 12-11 Lightning); turnovers (Slammers 22-19 Lightning)

Warwick Senators d South West Slammers 107-82, Saturday night at Warwick Stadium

The Slammers kept pace early with the Senators, trailing 50-45 at half-time.

Unfortunately for coach Goff, the home side clicked through the gears in the third term to run away with a convincing 107-82 win.

On a positive note, Tuach was declared fit to play and finished with 20 points in his comeback game, while Thomas-Edwards (21 points, 18 rebounds) finished with a double-double in his first road game with the club.

KEEPER STATS

Field goals (Senators 29/42, Slammers 31/70); three-point attempts (Senators 14/39, Slammers 3/24); free-throw attempts (Slammers 11/18, Senators 7/11) total rebounds (Slammers 52-48 Senators); assists (Senators 27-16 Slammers); steals (Senators 12-11 Slammers); turnovers (Senators 22-20 Slammers)

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