MAKING the most of his new-found opportunity at SEABL level, Mason Peatling shone in his next big basketball challenge.
Peatling, 18, from Berwick, has savoured his opportunities this year. After earning a late-call up for Victoria Metro at the Under-20 Australian Junior Basketball Championships earlier this year, the 200cm power forward relished his extended time on court in Dandenong’s 81-75 victory over Frankston.
With Dandenong forward/centre Chris Patton sitting out the rest of the SEABL season – following a recurring knee injury – it has given Peatling and other young Rangers a chance to step up with additional responsibility.
Working off the bench, Peatling played career high minutes rattling off 19 points and snaring nine rebounds to almost capture his first SEABL double-double.
Peatling was pleased to earn his keep in the Rangers’ line-up and wants to continue being a reliable choice at the SEABL level.
“Last night’s (Saturday) game was just another stepping stone for me,” Peatling said.
“It’s important for the team to have guys stepping up all of the time, and given Chris Patton’s injury, I hope I can be one of those guys on a consistent basis.
“It was a great night for me personally, given that I could perform at a high level and contribute to another win for us.”
While the points and rebounds accumulated, Peatling’s defining moment came late in the match as he swatted a match-defining block to stop Frankston’s run-on.
His block allowed Daequon Montreal to take the loose ball and convert it into a ‘four-point play’ as the Rangers built a handy buffer in the dying minutes.
“I’m glad I was ready to make the play when my name was called – it was my turn to do what was required to win the game, and I’m glad I delivered when I had to,” he said.
Dandenong coach Darren Perry praised Peatling’s efforts and thought the young forward’s workrate was just as impressive as his stat-line.
“I thought it was a super effort from the young fella Mason,” Perry said.
“He was just so active on the glass.
“Not so much he needs to score, but the extra shots, the offensive glass, the blocked shot in the middle of the fourth – he did a really nice job.
“He’s doing really well – that’s the nice thing about having a lot of the young guys around – if you get those kinds of efforts that… perhaps you weren’t expecting, which is nice.”
Peatlings’ Rangers face Sandringham on Thursday night before flying to Brisbane to face the Spartans on Saturday.
