MINERS legend Eric Hayes launched his debut season as head coach with a win against long-time rival Bendigo Braves in the South East Australian Basketball league.
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Ballarat Miners wasted no time in showcasing their new style and flair for a 10-point win at the MARS Minerdome on Friday night.
Popular American Roy Booker set up a big alley oop for returned import Kodi Augustus in the opening couple of minutes. And again, deep in the final term, to polish off the game.
Booker made three shots from beyond the arc in the first quarter just in case GMHBA Miners fans needed a reminder of his thrilling sharp-shooting.
He finished the game named most valuable player with 24 points, 10 assists.
Anthony Fisher fit right back in where he left off after a summer with NBL club Perth Wildcats.
Fisher made a double-double with 12 points, 12 rebounds, with the bulk of his scoring in the opening half.
The Miners started strongly in a 12-2 run and held an eight-point lead by quarter-time. By early in the third, they had pushed ahead to a 19-point buffer.
Newly appointed co-captain Kris Blicavs made it through his first game with limited minutes after a season on the sidelines.
The Miners will take their show on the road to face their other key rival Geelong Supercats on Saturday night.
BALLARAT 25 46 68 85
BENDIGO 17 36 53 75
POINTS – Ballarat: Booker 24 (6 three-pointers), Augustus 23 (1), Bartlett 13 (1), Fisher 12 (2), Smith 6, Gibcus 4, Blicavs 3 (1). Bendigo: Johnson 20 (1), Lewis 18 (2), Vigor 12 (1), Probert 12 (1), Hogan 7 (1), Bell 2, Cowling 2, Vandenberg 2.
REBOUNDS – Ballarat 38 (Fisher 12, Augustus 7, Smith 7), Bendigo 45 (Lewis 13, Johnson 7)
ASSISTS – Ballarat 21 (Booker 10, Bartlett 5), Bendigo 12 (Probert 5)
BLOCKS – Ballarat 4, Bendigo 4
STEALS – Ballarat 5, Bendigo 0
TURNOVERS – Ballarat 8, Bendigo 14
FOULS – Ballarat 30, Bendigo 14
SHOOTING – field goals, Ballarat 33-75 (44%), Bendigo 23-75 (31%); three-pointers, Ballarat 11-35 (31%), Bendigo 6-23 (26%); free throws, Ballarat 8-14 (57%), Bendigo 23-24 (68%).