A two-point win against Geelong Supercats at the Arena on Saturday night built on the strong, exciting play the GMHBA Miners showed at home against Bendigo a night earlier in the South East Australian Basketball League action.

Miners coach Eric Hayes has the perfect start to his debut season in the head coaching role.

Hayes said every Miner who stepped on the court across the two games gave something special.

“They were fantastic and just showed a lot of tenacity, especially in Geelong,” he said.

“We were ahead most of the game (against the Supercats) and just made a few mistakes at the end, but it was great we could put them aside and still win.”

Geelong were particularly fired up for the game as their first for the season, playing before a home crowd and marking the 300th SEABL game of decorated home-town hero Nathan Herbert.

The Miners started stronger, holding a seven-

point lead at quarter-time, and fended off the Supercats in a frenzied finish.

A Roy Booker three-point jump shot put the Miners in front with less than 20 seconds to play.

Booker finished with 25 points, following the 24 points he made against Bendigo, in his return to the SEABL from an Achilles injury that cut his season short last year.

Hayes said Booker may not quite be back to 100 per cent in his game yet, but he was pretty close.

Liam Gibcus, who injured his ankle against Bendigo, played out the weekend strong, while fellow tall Chris Smith continued to step up his game, making a double-double (12 points, 11 rebounds) against the Supercats.

Guard Anthony Fisher, who reeled in 12 rebounds against Bendigo, chalked up 16 points against Geelong, including four three-pointers.

Hayes said the Ballarat support had been great for his team to get started on Friday night. 

A small band of fans made a big, vocal support on the road against Geelong.

Hayes said he hoped the support would continue to build and that his team would give fans plenty to cheer about. The Miners play in Brisbane next week and return home to the MARS Minerdome to host Kilsyth on Sunday, April 26.

melanie.whelan@fairfaxmedia.com.au