Campbell Dispels His Deja Vu With 32-point Haul
Illawarra Mercury
Monday October 13, 2003
UP UNTIL his breakout performance in Wollongong's crushing win over New Zealand, Mat Campbell was living his very own version of Groundhog Day.
In nine seasons with the Hawks, Campbell had never reached the 30-point mark.
He came close often enough.
Similar to Bill Murray's character in Groundhog Day, Campbell kept reliving the same moment, scoring exactly 29 points on four occasions.
``The guys normally give me a fair bit about it. They're always telling me that I'm scared of 30 or something," Campbell said.
The ribbing should stop after Campbell's career-best 32-point haul against the Breakers.
The 27-year-old made all three of his three-point shots in the first quarter and continued to find the target to boost his tally to 19 at half-time.
He was up to 27 after three periods before adding a pair of free throws and his eighth three of the game in the final quarter to better his previous single-game record of six threes.
``I felt good out there," he said.
``It was just good to be out there the way we were playing. We were reversing the ball and moving the ball so well. We just kept kicking it around and everyone kept hitting.
``It was one of those games where it's hard for the other team to guard anybody."
Campbell made no secret of the fact he was doubly keen to do well against the Breakers after being overlooked for a spot on the Australian team for the Oceania qualifying series against the New Zealand Tall Blacks.
``I was very disappointed I didn't make the Australian team to play New Zealand," he said.
``This was my opportunity to play against them basically. Even though they didn't have a couple of players that were in that team, a number of these players were on that team I sat and watched in Bendigo, so I wanted to see how I'd go against them. It was good motivation."
In two Hawks wins Campbell has hit 11/16 threes to be among the league leaders.
The game was watched by a crowd of 3669, a significant drop-off from the 4286 which turned up for their season-opener against Hunter last Monday.
After the impressive win, Wollongong coach Brendan Joyce called for people to get behind his team.
© 2003 Illawarra Mercury