Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Perth Wildcats coach John Rillie has praised his players for the emphatic way they responded to Friday night’s thumping defeat form the Sydney Kings after they thrashed the Brisbane Bullets by 24 points on Sunday.
The Wildcats produced a massive 53-point turnaround with their 86-62 win over the Bullets at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre following the 29-point loss at home.
Perth held the Bullets to only 28 points in the second half and produced the even type of game that they have built their list around. Ben Henshall top scored with 15 points but David Duke (14), Elijah Pepper (11) and Dylan Windler (10) were also in double figures.
Rillie said his team showed how determined they were to make up for the loss to the Kings.
“It was very important for us to respond in a positive way and we did that,” he said.
“It was different guys in different moments. That’s the good thing about our team as we continue to grow and figure out the true strengths of each guy and how we can function as a team the best. We needed to come out with a defensive presence because Sydney just dominated us physically on both sides of the ball so we needed to respond in that department.”
Henshall’s game was significant for the way he played at both ends of the court. He produced two steals during the third quarter and was rewarded with dunks after bursting clear. His 15 points included two three-pointers, and his 11 shots were the most he’d taken since late October.
Henshall has come off the bench this year despite being a key part of the starting five last season. The 21-year-old had been hoping to get drafted to the NBA during the off-season and Rillie said the positive way he’d accepted the move to the bench had been evident by the changes he’d made to his game.
“I don’t look at it like his role has changed,” Rillie said.
“Ben Henshall, as a basketball player, is evolving. Last year he was a starter and now he comes off the bench. With how we started with our group at the start of the year, for him to have an offensive impact, you’ve got to find the right guys to be on the floor with.
“I think he’s found a nice groove with the guys on the floor now. He’s got a level of confidence. With his aspirations about the NBA, he’s known for his scoring ability. But now people are starting to understand that he’s rounding out his full skill set.
Captain Jesse Wagstaff produced a crucial cameo in the second quarter with four points, three rebounds and one assist but didn’t appear after half-time.
The veteran had a towel tied around his left leg as he watched from the sidelines but Rillie didn’t have any worries about his skipper. He said it was a good opportunity to give Wagstaff a break.
“He played. I’m not worried about Jesse Wagstaff in this situation,” he said.
