The Illawarra “IMB” Hawks played their first ever play off game against the highly rated Macarthur Heat last Saturday and although not victorious, showed they well and truly belonged at this level. The Macarthur Heat were Division One grand finalists in 2009 and being bigger, stronger and far more experienced, were widely tipped to easily defeat the IMB Hawks, who are playing their debut season in the 2010 NSW State Basketball League.

In their last regular season game, the Illawarra “IMB” Hawks played by far their best game of the 2010 NSW State Basketball League season, to defeat the higher ranked and more experienced Griffith Demons by 99 points to 82.

The NSW State Basketball League finals due to begin on July 31, 2010 and Illawarra will be well represented with three of the Illawarra “IMB” State League teams already qualified.

The Illawarra “IMB” Hawks missed a golden opportunity to improve their competition standing when they failed to overcome the Moss Vale Magic and with only one regular season game remaining, will finish third in the southern conference of the 2010 NSW State Basketball League.

The Illawarra “IMB” Hawks knew their game against the Queanbeyan Yowies was going to be tough, as they were facing the conference leading team (11 wins/1 loss), who they were yet to beat, but that didn’t stop them challenging their more fancied opposition.

The Illawarra “IMB” Hawks inflicted their third consecutive defeat on the less talented but extremely determined Shoalhaven Tigers, when they scored a 76 to 61 point victory in their 2010 NSW State Basketball League game at Bomaderry.

The Illawarra “IMB” Hawks scored a thrilling 78 to 77 point victory against the second placed Griffith Demons at the Snakepit, in their second meeting of the 2010 NSW State Basketball season.

The one point win was sweet revenge for the Hawks whose only home court loss this season, was to the Demons back in April, at Berkeley.

The win was vital and moved Illawarra to 7 wins & 3 losses, just behind the Griffith who dropped to 6 wins and 2 losses. With Queanbeyan holding down 1st place (9 wins & only one loss), the race for second position (and eligibility for the final series) will probably be decided when the Hawks meet the Demons in Griffith in July.

Troy Pilon was a welcome addition to the side that was playing without injured players, Daniel Jepson and Adam Garello.

 After a sluggish start, the Hawks intensified their defensive pressure and restricted the Demons to only 10, second quarter points. Improved three point shooting by Peter Rostirolla (9 points) and Karlo Banzon (6 points) enabled the home side to finish ahead at half time with a 35 to 32 point lead.

With the Illawarra “IMB” Hawks travelling to, and defeating the much improved Moss Vale Magic by 79 points to 58 last Saturday, an interesting subplot was also played out with the battle of the TAYLOR’S i.e. the Magic’s Norman Taylor Vs the Hawks’ Nick  Taylor.