BASKETBALL
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THE Moss Vale Magic made it four wins in a row on Saturday night.
The youth league side recorded a solid 82-63 victory over a spirited Hawkesbury Jets team in front of a large crowd at the Moss Vale Basketball Stadium.
The win ensured the Magic consolidated its position in the top four of the NSW Youth League Men's Basketball Competition.
The Magic could sit in third spot on the ladder after the completion of this round as the team enters the second half of the season.
It was another strong all-round team performance from the Magic on Saturday, with no less than four players scoring in double figures.
Dane Jensen has been in outstanding form during the Magic's winning streak,
He was once again a standout performer with a team-high 20 points, including 15 points in the second half.
The Magic's outside shooters were also in good form with Nick Bizjak (three), Rhys Pryor (one), Hayden Cook (one), Mitchell Bancroft (one) and Billy Campbell (two) all connecting with some long range three-pointers.
Campbell provided a first half highlight with a buzzer-beating step back three-pointer that gave the Magic some breathing space at half time leading 40-28.
The Jets made a run and got within three points halfway through the third quarter as the Magic's offence stalled.
However, Jensen stepped up with some crucial rebounds and eight points of his own for the quarter to steady the ship.
Jensen helped ensure the Magic retained the lead at 56-45 at the final break.
Jensen combined well inside the paint with back-up centre Nick Gardiner, who has shown in recent weeks that he can mix it with the other big men in the league.
This has provided coach Kev Campbell with plenty of options on his bench.
The Magic went into a full court press defence in the last quarter which the Jets were unable to handle.
This forced numerous turnovers which the Magic capitalised on at the offensive end as the home side went on a scoring rampage with 26 points in the last quarter.
Scorers for the Magic were Dane Jensen (20 points), Nick Bizjak (13), Rhys Pryor (12), Hayden Cook (10), Billy Campbell (eight), Nick Gardiner (six), Tyler Payne (six), Mitch Bancroft (five) and Justin Sloggett (two).
The Magic will play at home again this weekend.
Moss Vale will be up against the Newcastle Hunters on Sunday at 5pm at the Moss Vale Basketball Stadium.