There was plenty of excitement at Westend Stadium last Thursday evening when the junior basketball autumn grand finals were held.
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The 11 girls final was contested between the Demons and Snows.
The game never saw a side dominate as the biggest margin each quarter was just two points.
Snows had plenty of drive from their representative players and they were called upon to keep the Demons’ leading players under control.
Snows’ Emma Cullen has improved and gave the side plenty of stability along with the grand final MVP Lindsay Cornale whose drives out of the back court took plenty of pressure off her side.
To the Demons’ credit, they never gave up and with the drive coming from Pip Mitchel and Timeeka Coleman, they made the Snows girls work overtime to keep them away from the basket.
It has been a great season for the 11 girls as there were plenty of close games throughout the competition.
Snows ended up with winning margin of 20-14.
Warburtons came into the final of the 11 boys with nothing to lose and plenty to offer as they took on Base.
Sevi Pastro and Lachlan Chant had plenty of ball from their defensive end whilst Alex Pietroboni and Mason Rosengreen combined to help with the sides game.
However, the Base boys had a huge game from Lucas Irvin and Emanuel Orake who dominated the boards and put crucial shots in when needed.
Once again Broden Spencer (MVP) and Mark Aloisi ran the court well to give the Base boys the victory for the Autumn Comp.
The full-time score for the final was 26-21.
It was great to see the 13 girls players hitting the boards and having possibly one of the best games this season.
Jenna Richards (MVP) right from the tip-off started to stamp her authority for the Hawks and once a lead was established the game opened up for her teammates to set for easy outside shots.
The Rockets never really got into their usual pattern of play and at times struggled to hit the much needed shots.
Meg Dal Broi once again played strongly for the Rockets and had plenty of help from her teammates Ruby Cornale and Ayla Vaessen.
The game at times was played at a quick pace which resulted in plenty of turnovers to both teams.
Well done to the Hawks as they got on and did what they needed to do to win the final 37-20.
The 13 boys final looked destined for overtime with the GW Speirs boys holding a three-point lead with less than a minute to go.
Plenty of missed opportunities were had by both teams in the closing stages but it was the settling play from the Speirs boys – Sam Payne, Ryan Minato and Aiden Peruzi – that got their side the victory in the end.
Prior to this Rowan Mathews (MVP) certainly paved the way with a great performance.
Zac Dalbroi and Cameron Bordignon never gave up as they searched for the needed points to snatch the victory.
Lachlan Waide was having an impact with his rebounding and steals, this provided opportunities in the open court, unfortunately time ran out and the Speirs boys won the game 32-29.
The 15 boys final was always going to be a huge match-up. Played at a face pace both sides traded baskets throughout the first two stanzas.
At the half-time break, the Kings held onto a one point lead 24-23.
Liam Blanch (MVP) came out in the third quarter and started to stamp his authority on the game, hitting eight of the 13 points in that quarter for the Kings.
Michael Zapala was likewise getting control of the baskets both defensively and offensively.
The Bullets’ Ben Woods (MVP), Matt Richards and Jordan Magocci kept pressing the ball up and this seemed to unsettle the Kings but it wasn’t long before the game was put out of reach giving the Kings victory with a 51-39 win.
A great deal of thanks goes to the junior referees and coaches who officiate each week. Without these players putting back into the game each week, the games would not be possible.