The June long weekend proved to be a successful weekend for the Junior Basketballers who travelled to other parts of the state to play in the John Martin Country basketball Tournament.
The 18 boys went to Maitland and played in division two series and ended up finishing 2nd on the ladder after the round games where played. Losing a couple of regular players who pulled out before the series the side invited players from Leeton who blended well into the side. Picking up some impressive wins along the way the side looked to the semi-final with the attitude to throw it all on the table and see what happens.
Throwing it all out there the side came out of the semi final with a solid win over the Newcastle Hunters Green side 34-27. This took the boys into the grand final against the Gosford Rebels who defeated them in the first round of games.
The young demons held onto a lead and looked to have matched it with the Rebels. Unfortunately, the Rebels regathered late in the 4th and took the lead and the game 38-30. The boys should be proud of their efforts and thank the Leeton boys who helped fill the team roster for the weekend. Jordan Magoci and Micheal Zappala stepped up and played strongly.
The 14 girls went off to Gosford and went into the weekend with no real expectations other than to compete evenly each game. Dropping only one game in the rounds the girls gained a lot of confidence after the picked up wins against Taree 42-26, Newcastle side 22-14, Goulburn 36-24, playing Bathurst the girls tried hard but went down at the siren 27-23.
The girls took on the Taree Tornadoes and backed up their round win with a resounding 42-26 win. However the second semi proved too much for the girls and they lost to the Batesman Bay breakers 44-29. It was an impressive display from the young Demons as they come away from the weekend full of confidence knowing they can match it with other areas.
The 12 girls almost came away with a premiership but where beat at the siren by the Maitland mustangs 40-17. During the first day the side was knocking over some handy opposition sides, Dubbo, Narrandera and Gosford in a nail biter. Timeeka Coleman’s weekend ended with a suspected fractured elbow. Not to be deterred the girls played on and they entered the finals race with momentum on their side.
The side played Narrandera in the semi-final and defeated them 39-23 giving them another shot at Maitland. The girls traded baskets but the lose of their guard to injury took its toll and the girls valiantly went down 40-17.
During the week the 16 girls were reduced to 5 players with injuries and the unavailability. Thanks to the West Wyalong girls who came along to help out. To fulfil our commitments the girls all headed off to Illawarra to play div on.
Narrowly falling to Gosford and losing Giordan Pastro to an ankle sprain in the first game the girls thought they had a chance of winning a couple of games. They took on and defeated the Goulburn Bears and the Port Macquarie Dolphins finishing third on the ladder the girls went into the semi against the Gosford City girls and withstood some tough defence to record a 58-48 win.
This led to the grand final of the two western junior league sides Griffith and Bathurst. After taking control of the game the Young Demons weren’t about to let Bathurst defeat them again and took the match 58-48 to become the 2017 country division one champions.
Abby Favell was named the MVP and was well assisted by West Wyalong’s Kate Hood who relished in the pressure game. Jenna Richards racked up 4 quick fouls in the second quarter but to her credit she remained on the court and helped the team to a monumental win.
