{"id":39343,"date":"2024-05-06T14:50:06","date_gmt":"2024-05-06T04:50:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/basketball\/?p=39343"},"modified":"2024-05-06T14:50:09","modified_gmt":"2024-05-06T04:50:09","slug":"dopud-damaging-as-hawks-fall-to-hornets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/basketball\/dopud-damaging-as-hawks-fall-to-hornets\/","title":{"rendered":"Dopud damaging as Hawks fall to Hornets"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

THE Illawarra Hawks may not have been able to get the desired result in their clash against the Hills Hornets in their Round 5 clash in the National Basketball League (NBL)1 East Men’s, but Philip Dopud <\/strong>was a shining light.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Hawks have found the going tough throughout the 2024 season, but came up against a Hornets side that was eager to break their losing streak and had struggled to conjure a win of late. The two teams locked horns at Hills Basketball Stadium on Saturday night, in a clash that certainly was not short of intrigue coming in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The game panned out in exciting fashion for much of the contest, with both sides trading blows in an enthralling affair for three quarters. At the final change, Hills held a two-point lead in a match that looked destined to go down to the wire. However, Hills put the foot down in a dominant final term, outscoring Illawarra 31-10 to claim a 23-point victory in a margin that did not reflect the close nature of the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the result, the Hawks will still be encouraged by the performance of Dopud, who was a physical presence in the paint for Illawarra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Hills Hornets (92) def. Illawarra Hawks (69)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Philip Dopud – 17 points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals, two blocks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dopud held his own in the tough loss to the Hawks, showing how bright his future truly is as a frontcourt player in Australian basketball.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He was extremely accurate with his field goal attempts, making six of his eight shots and rarely wasting a possession with patience and clever shot selection throughout the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His ability to stretch the floor was key in keeping the Hawks in the contest throughout the first three quarters, making two three-pointers on three attempts and proving deadly from downtown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dopud also remained active defensively, recording two steals and two blocks and thwarting several Hornets’ attacking plays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At just 21 years of age, there is certainly plenty of growth left for the talented youngster. He had shown his potential in the past, particularly last season where he posted a 30-point, 15-rebound outing. However, Dopud is starting to put it together at a consistent level, and appears a big part of Illawarra’s future, so the team will be happy with his showing on the weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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