No pain no gain for Norton

Putting your body on the line has always been part and parcel with being a Perth Wildcat.

You only need to look back on Damian Martin’s career for countless plays that epitomise that attitude.

His replacement at the starting point guard position, Mitch Norton, has never been afraid to sacrifice for the team and his defensive plays down the stretch in Wednesday night’s one-point win are exampels of that.

With two minutes to go, he stood in the away of South East Melbourne’s Ben Moore to draw the offensive foul. A clutch play that won’t give him any stats but played a major role in determining the outcome.

He said despite peeling himself off the hardwood a number of times throughout the night, the body always feels a bit better after a win.

“A couple of bumps and bruises, but I think that’s all part of Wildcats basketball is putting your body on the line,” he said.

“We talk about sacrificing open shots, and things like that, and I think putting your body on the line and sacrificing a little bit of pain here and there is all worth it when you get the win.”

Despite a significant roster overhaul prior to the current NBL season, Norton said the club’s culture has transferred to its newer players.

“Being one of the more experienced guys on the team, it’s now our turn to take the torch and carry it forward,” he said.

“Jesse’s done a great job, Clint, Tommy Jervis and BC as well. So I think we’re all collectively trying to speed up some of the young guys with pressure releases in those big moments, just to trust our system.”

Norton was one of the Wildcats best on Wednesday with eight assists to go with four rebounds and two seals.

He’s now averaging 4.6 assists per game. His previous best season in that department was 2016/17 when he averaged 3.0 per game for the Illawarra Hawks.