Creek Reflects on Crazy Kings Battle

Via NBL

South East Melbourne Phoenix forward Mitch Creek has labelled Sunday's battle with the Syndey Kings "the craziest games [he's] ever been a part of".

Creek dropped a 46-point double-double for the Phoenix while Kings counterpart Derrick Walton Jr scored 45 points of his own. Leading into the game no player had scored 40 points in a game this season.

The extra point Creek scored proved to be vital as South East Melbourne recorded a 113-112 win in double overtime.

“It was the craziest game I’ve ever been a part of,” Creek said.

“I’ve played 12 or 13 seasons, and this is my first one that’s been like that head-to-head with somebody.

“A huge shout out to Derrick. I said to him after the game that it was an incredible battle and I was just so proud to be a part of it. You don't get many moments like that in sport. Just an incredible experience.”

<iframe width="560" height="315" src='https://cdn.nbl.com.au/embed/embed.html?url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKZQBf-uG70' title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Development player Owen Foxwell was an unsung hero for the Phoenix in the game. The 19-year-old stepped into the line-up due to a calf injury suffered by import Gary Browne and ably contributed eight points and four rebounds.

“That might be the best game I’ve ever seen someone play one on one defence and get forty piece,” Creek said.

“If 'Foxy' wasn’t on our team for that game, I reckon he (Walton Jr) would’ve scored 74 points.

“Seeing Owen Foxwell take three charges was pretty damn cool.”

South East Melbourne coach Simon Mitchell iterated that one of the reasons his side won was the multiple contributors who made large impacts on the court.

“It was a crazy game, it was a tough game, great environment,” Mitchell said.

“You’ve just got to keep trying to find the chemistry and find the magic.

“Today there was a real focus to be businesslike and when those hurdles came at us, there was a lot of them out there, thought that the strength of character really shone through which builds for us a platform it builds a level that we know that we can operate under extreme duress, extreme circumstances and we can come out with our chins held high.”

Due to schedule changes the Phoenix will now be playing the Brisbane Bullets at Nissan Arena at 7:30pm AEDT on Wednesday night.