Cotton, Pinder star as Wildcats defeat Phoenix at HoopsFest

Four-time NBL MVP Cotton sent an ominous warning to the rest of the competition with a brilliant performance in his return from a thumb issue, hitting eight triples including three in a row to kickstart the Wildcats in the opening term.

Dominant big man Pinder saved the best of his 29-point display for when his team needed it most in the third term, scoring 14 consecutive points - including two threes and a massive dunk - after the Phoenix stormed back to get within a solitary point in front of a sold-out HoopsFest crowd.

Rebounding was an area Wildcats head coach John Rillie wanted to improve in NBL25 and there was plenty to like in that area in game one, led by second-year import Kristian Doolittle (13 rebounds, nine points and three blocks) who fell one rebound shy of a double-double.

Ex-NBA player Dylan Windler was also impressive in the paint, racking up 10 rebounds of his own to go with four assists and two three-pointers in an exciting debut after an injury-interrupted pre-season.

Young gun Ben Henshall, who started in four of the Wildcats' eight pre-season games, made the most of his extended court time.

Henshall entered the game midway through the opening term and had an instant impact, hitting a mid-range jump shot before finding Cotton for his first of eight threes.

The WA product finished with 10 points and seven assists in nearly 20 minutes for the night to show he's ready to take the next step this season.

Eleven players got on the court including debutants Windler, Next Star Izan Almansa and Elijah Pepper.

Almansa did plenty in his 14 minutes, amassing 10 points, while Pepper's five came in the final term.

The game was fittingly put to bed by Cotton, who pulled out the Steph Curry 'good night' celebration after his eighth triple late in the final quarter.

The Wildcats host their first official home game of the season next Friday night against Sydney Kings at RAC Arena.

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