THE Perth Wildcats started the 2023/24 National Basketball League (NBL) season in fine fashion, claiming a win over the Tasmania JackJumpers thanks to an explosive scoring performance from Jordan Usher.

The two sides locked horns at RAC Arena for the late game on Friday night, in one of the most anticipated matchups of the opening round. Both teams are expected to be genuine contenders this season, after some solid off-season moves and strong performances in the blitz. Luckily for fans and pundits alike, the game lived up to the hype in a thoroughly entertaining, high-quality affair.

The JackJumpers silenced the crowd early, going on a 12-0 run to start the game after Perth could not find the bottom of the net and struggled against Tasmania’s defensive rotation. However, the Wildcats are simply too strong of a team to keep down for that long, eventually getting their offensive groove going and storming home to a six-point win in front of a booming home crowd.

There is no doubt that the Wildcats would not have got the job done if not for the performance of Usher, who was an undeniable presence on the offensive end.

Perth Wildcats (101) def. Tasmania JackJumpers (95)

Jordan Usher – 35 points (13/20 FG, 4/8 3PT, 5/5 FT), three rebounds

FIRST QUARTER

It was a slow start for the Wildcats, who allowed the JackJumpers to storm out to a double-digit lead in no time at all. It took half a quarter for Perth to get itself back into the game, but did as all good sides do. Ushed hit a crucial three-pointer, his first of the game to cut the margin down to six points, not hesitating about the contest by Tasmania’s defence. With his tail up, Usher used a screen to create space on the very next possession, knocking down another triple and bringing his side to life.

The 25-year-old continued to breathe life into Perth’s offence, taking advantage of Tasmania’s overcommitted approach to perimeter defence, by driving past the defenders and finishing with the reverse layup. As a result, Perth looked to get the ball in his hands as much as possible, and although not all attempts were successful (including a wayward lob attempt), Usher was still able to punish Tassie’s sloppy play, producing an and-one to ignite the crowd and cap off a dominant two-minute period.

Usher was not done, continuing to drive and attack an undersized Tasmania lineup, finishing at the rim and letting the opposition know they were ‘too small’. He finished the opening term with 13 points of his own as Perth trailed by just one at the first change.

SECOND QUARTER

Usher spent the first half of the second term on the bench, being injected into the game with just over five minutes to play. He was not immediately Perth’s go to option offensively, as the team had followed suit while he was on the bench and caught fire. However, he continued to be aggressive with ball in hand, using the glass when putting up off balance attempts to bank home a shot or two.

He helped Perth get out to a five-point lead at the main break, playing an extremely important role with his ability to conjure a score from seemingly anywhere.

THIRD QUARTER

Usher continued his hot form in the opening minute of the third term, continuing Perth’s offensive success with a drive into the lane, finishing at the rack. His vertical leap was on display shortly after, throwing down a dunk after Keanu Pinder intercepted an errant pass.

He was the beneficiary of some crafty work from Bryce Cotton off the dribble, with the three-time MVP finding Usher under the hoop, where he finished with yet another layup. The Wildcats continued to roll as Usher knocked down another shot from behind the arc to extend his side’s lead out to six after Alexandre Sarr pulled down an offensive board and dished out to his teammate on the perimeter.

On the eve of three-quarter time, Usher took it upon himself to create a bucket, shuffling the ball behind his back on the drive to lose the defender, before knocking down the shot from the elbow in smooth fashion, in the perfect way to close out the term.

FOURTH QUARTER

The import showed no signs of slowing down to start the last term, knocking down a mid-range shot off the dribble in the opening stages. After Usher and Perth went through a bit of a scoring drought, he knocked down a pair of crucial free throws to extend his side’s lead to a comfortable nine points when it mattered most.

Tasmania brought itself within one point in the final couple of minutes of play, and had all of the momentum. However, Usher stepped up with a clutch three-pointer from the corner, giving the Wildcats some much-needed breathing room, and after knocking down another pair of free throws, guided Perth to a thrilling win.

TO SUMMARISE

Usher’s biggest strength was his ability to get himself into scoring positions, and whether it was finishing off a teammate’s strong passing, or create a shot of his own, he was as explosive a scorer as we saw in the opening week.