Maitland's Jack Edwards led from the front with a 20-point game as the young Mustangs stood together to claim a memorable 87-78 win against Hills Hornets on Saturday night.
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However, the win came at a cost with highly-talented teenager Jay Cole coming off with a knee injury after superb cameo in which he hit 14 points and pulled in seven rebounds, to record a remarkable plus-22 influence during 16 minutes of game time..
The Mustangs will learn this week the extent of Cole's injury but he will have an extra week of recovery with the Canberra Gunners pulling out the competition and Maitland receiving a win on forfeit. Mailand's next game is against the Inner West Bulls in Sydney on Saturday, August 22. .
Assuming the captaincy after Terrell Turner's season-ending injury, Edwards was outstanding with seven rebounds, four steal and six assists to go with his points.
The support casts had plenty of members with Josh Clifford contributing nine points, six rebound and six assists in another strong defensive effort before being fouled out against a must taller opposition.
Sam Huggins scored 10 points and had eight rebounds and three assists. Sixteen-year-old Kaia Isaac continued his great start in the senior ranks with 14 points.
Connor Edwards also did a mountain of work in defence, creating three turn overs and making three steals.
The Mustangs will take plenty of confidence into yet another toughest assignment next week when they are on the road against the Inner West Bulls.
Maitland's youth women had a fade-out from midway through the last quarter to go down 58-70 to Hills Hornets after leading by two points in the opening stages of the term.
Hannah Griffin led the scoring for Maitland with 15 points, Mila Wawszkowicz landed 12 and Anika Earsman scored nine.
Maitland's youth men were unable to overcome a huge game by Malok Majak who led the Hornets to an 88-80 win with a game-high 27 points.
Jay Cole and Connor Edwards both scored 17, Riley Markovich landed 16, Kaia Isaac 12 and Jesse Parker 10 for the Mustangs.