Mens Grand Final Night
Added 23 April 2007
The survival of the best progressed to Mens Grand Final night for season 2006/07. Here's a round up of the action that took place at the BSC on Thursday 19 April.
Up first on court 1 was A-Grade. Temerity had a monopoly of top spot throughout the entire season, so it was no surprise they took their place in the grand final. Joining them was Pro City, but they went into the game as massive underdogs. It was a cagey opening to the game where it took each team a few trips up the court before getting on the scoreboard. Pro City were the quicker to settle and built an early lead and there was a chance of an upset. Temerity pegged them back with a strong inside presence and were back on level terms shortly. Into the 2nd half, Temerity controlled proceedings with a strong inside game, and it was only the individual brilliance from the 3 point line that kept Pro City within touching distance. But in the end, Temerity was just too big and with Anthony Richardson throwing down a couple dunks late in the game ran out winners 66-58.
Meanwhile on court 2, the Surrey Sonics and the A-Reserve's version of Temerity battled right down to the wire which ensured a dramatic climax. With less than 30 seconds remaining, the Sonics levelled the scores with a basket. Then with time running down, Temerity went for the win from the 3 point line. The shooter was foulled sending him to the line for 3 shots. He made the latter two shots giving Temerity a 2 point lead with 2 seconds to go. After a bit of a hiccup with the clock, Surrey Sonics threw a length of the court pass and managed to make a basket on the buzzer sending the match into overtime. However, Temerity were the stronger team in the extra period and won 53-47.
In the Youth League grand final, Air Time took on Topcats, who had disposed of minor premiers Angry Husbands in the preliminary final. In what was a slow start to the game, nerves and defence was the main feature. Air Time finally got going through big men Cam Birrell and David Feld and established a comfortable buffer going into half time. That buffer was maintaned throughout the 2nd half and Air Time were premiers at the 5th attempt 36-23.
The Veterans League saw the Magic Men and the Arjibarjis square off in what was a masterclass in basketball. The Arjibarjis were ahead for most of the 2nd half, but weren't able to capitalise from the foul line as a result of the disciplined and tactical foulling late in the game by the Magic Men. A couple big 3's made the end of the game interesting. A rebound which fell to the Magic Men after another missed foul shot by the Arjibarjis with 16 seconds to go gave the Magic Men a chance to send the game into overtime or a chance at the win from deep, but were unable to get a shot off. Arjibarjis winning 33-31.
Greasefire and C-Sharps played off in the grand final of C Grade. Both teams traded baskets thoughout the first half before Greasefire started to take control. C-Sharp's poor execution in the 2nd half resulted in the margin being stretched. Greasefire premiers 35-22.
In B Grade, the Bali Nine took on the Chiefs. After dominating the season, the Bali capped off the season with a 42-39 win over the Chiefs in the grand final.
The season might be over for the summer of 2006/07, but there won't be much of a break as round 1 of the winter season starts up again this week on Thursday 26th April. Be sure to check back on the website for fixture details shortly.
In the meantime, register yourself for Hawthorn Basketball Online's forum "TrashTalk" and start talking trash!