Perth Wildcats coach Trevor Gleeson labelled Nick Kay as “Mr consistent and reliable” after the Tamworth product produced another starring performance on Sunday.
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Kay finished with 15 points, eight rebounds and six assists as the Wildcats defeated the Cairns Taipans 94-72 in a wire-to-wire victory at RAC Arena.
It was Kay’s 12th game in double figures.
Perth had a hot start, outscoring Cairns 31-17 in the first quarter, with 18 points coming from the bench and nine points from Kay.
Gleeson said Kay is finding his spots in the game, and he’s producing at a high level.
“He’s been Mr. consistent and reliable, he’s been fantastic out there,” he said.
The Wildcats pressure didn’t let off after the first, keeping a demanding lead through the second quarter, taking a 14-point margin into the half time break.
Gleeson said they made their mark early and kept it rolling throughout the game.
“I thought we put a really good stamp on the game at the start of the game, we came out with a real good focus and energy,” he said.
Bryce Cotton returned from a two-game absence, after having to sit out due to a thumb injury he sustained against the Breakers on 25 November.
He didn’t miss a beat, scoring 21 points, seven rebounds and four assists.
Cotton said the injury didn’t worry him, and he feels confident after getting back on the court.
“Once I got the adrenalin going I was able to get my mind of it,” he said.
“It was a very fast paced game, and once the crowd kicked in I was good to go.”
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Cairns guard Melo Trimble, who averages just over 23 points a game, was kept to only eight points with some stellar defence from Mitch Norton and Damian Martin.
Gleeson said it was a focus for the team to keep Trimble quiet.
“It took him out of the game, and that was a big part of our game plan,” he said.
“To have that combo of Mitch and Damo on the guards is fantastic.”
Terrico White filled the stat sheet, scoring 15 points, six rebounds and three assists, in 25 minutes.
The Wildcats will now face the Sydney Kings in Perth on Friday night, December 14.