MOST imports are recruited with attention squarely on the points-per-game column of the stats sheet.  But the North-West Thunder broke that trend when it opted to team up Eric Gaff and Troy Payne on the Coast.

The pair are both well known for their defensive attributes and it has been evident so far this season. After 10 games, Gaff leads the league in total blocks on 28, while Payne leads all comers in total steals with 30.

``I was coached from a young age to always defend first,'' Gaff said. ``I was brought up with the mentality that offence gets you wins but defence gets you championships.''

Gaff, who stands at 208 centimetres, has a 10cm longer wingspan, which he said definitely helped him in his defensive game.

THE North-West Thunder has made amends for its past three successive losses, bouncing back to overcome a valiant Knox outfit by 10 points.

The Thunder held the lead for the entire night, withstanding a Raiders second-quarter comeback to register win number five of the season, 79-69. 

However, the win was soured when starring point-guard Tom Wright went down with a severe ankle injury late in the third term. Wright landed awkwardly on an opponent's foot and is likely to miss this weekend's home game.

It was shot-for-shot in the early going before Scott McGaffin, who was best-on-court, entered the fray halfway through the first quarter and ignited the home side.

His aggressive defence led to turnovers and easy baskets at the other end. And when he hit a three-pointer right on the quarter-time buzzer, the home side had a 13-point buffer.