Basketball On The Internet.

ILLAWARRA's complete and total demolition of a woefully understrength South East Melbourne last night reduced the Phoenix into resembling an ordinary NBL1 team instead of a post-season contender, Sam Froling the clear offensive focus of these new high-flying Hawks.

With imports Alan Williams (knee), Abdel Nader (finger) and Gary Browne (some injury but should've been suspended anyway) all missing, South East had very little to offer in terms of valid or genuine resistance.

The Hawks immediately attacked through Froling who quickly overwhelmed back-up backup Anzac Rissetto on his way to 20 points on a perfect 9-of-9 shooting.

(Froling's 2-of-7 free throws though strongly suggests he should take no further tips on foul-shooting from his predecessor AJ Ogilvy.)

The keyway's most dominant presence, Froling's backups Lachlan Olbrich and Mason Peatling also enjoyed themselves, the former producing 11 points at 63 per cent, seven boards, an assist and a block in 15 minutes of action.

His assist went to Hyunjung Lee who swished a 3-pointer from the top of the key and was 3-of-5 from range in his 15-point haul.  

Justin Robinson (16 points on 7-of-11) also was on song early as Illawarra started strongly, never gave South East even a taste of the lead and at one stage was ahead by a whopping 41 points before its 38-point final margin still registered as the Phoenix's all-time record losing tally.

To have any chance of making this a contest, South East Melbourne needed a career-level game from Mitch Creek and stellar focusewd efforts from stalwarts Matt Kenyon, Reuben Te Rangi and Ben Ayre.

But one week back from injury, Creek could not lift the team onto his shoulders. His 24 points at 56 per cent, seven rebounds, four assists and a steal were good numbers for a regulation game, but leading this NBL1-type crew, he needed double those figures for the Phoenix to do more than flutter. 

Flutter, fluster, frustrate and fumble, the youngsters playing extended minutes did little to encourage any confidence the Phoenix, even at full potency, can do any real damage as the season enters its business end.

Apart from a particularly slick move by Owen Foxwell, spinning into the key late for a sweet basket, reguylars such as the aforementioned Ayre, Kenyon and Te Rangi mustered a paltry 19 points between them on a combined 7-of-21 shooting.

The fact the Phoenix showed more attitude than aptitude said it all.

Hawks coach Justin Tatum never let his team relent and when it showed even a hint of complacency or casualness, he was on them exhorting the best effort they could deliver.

Deliver they did, six players in double figures and not one of them named Tyler Harvey, Illawarra burying 14-of-25 threes and even more inspired after halftime when a fan hit a halfcourt shot to win a new car.

The strategy to play through Froling was smart. Maybe the 36ers were paying attention and will run their stuff through Isaac Humphries tonight? 

ILLAWARRA HAWKS 116 (Froling 20, Robinson 19, Clark 16, Lee 15, Johnson, Olbrich 11; Clark 13 rebs; Clark 4 assts) d SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX 78 (Creek 24, Stattmann 11, Ayre 10; Creek 7 rebs; Foxwell 5 assts) at WIN Entertainment Centre. Crowd: 4,079