Magic Treat

Added 9 July 2007

Those who were present at the Boroondara Sports Complex on Saturday night were treated to a wonderful exhibition of basketball. The Bulleen Boomers visited the home town Hawthorn Magic in what was a crucial game for the Magic and their finals aspirations. Coming into the game, the Magic were clinging on to the final spot in the top 4 and Bulleen were well adrift of the finals race in 8th and 2nd last spot. However, it was not an opponent the Magic dare take lightly having lost to the Boomers earlier in the season.

From the outset, you could tell we were in for a classic. Both teams were executing their offence to perfection as they battled to a 22-19 scoreline with the visitors in front. Hawthorn responded with a strong 2nd quarter and turned the tables to take a 48-41 lead. Following the major break, both teams lit it up from the outside, each scoring in excess of 30 points for the quarter with Josh Smith of Bulleen and Jay Allen of Hawthorn going head to head from the arc, leaving the game in the balance 79-75 to Hawthorn at the final break. However, the Magic finally put the clamps on the Boomers in the final quarter where they ran out to a 110-93 victory. Everyone for the Magic got on the scorecard including the "SoulTrain" Justin Guppy in the final seconds. For the Magic, Jay Allen led the way with 30 points at 52% from the field with Steve Carter and Seb Belfrage combining for a colossus 43 points and 30 rebounds. For the Boomers, Josh Smith 24 points, Michael Hubbard 21 points and Matthew Jon 18 points were a threat all night.

This win keeps the Magic in 4th spot ahead of Sherbrooke prior to their match with the in form Altona Gators next Saturday at the Altona Sports Centre. The result of this match will have major implications on the make up of the finals for season 2007.

The news wasn't as good for the Magic women who have dropped their 7th straight game, going down to the Blackburn Vikings in the earlier match at BSC on Saturday night. Lauren Killmister was the only Magic player to reach double figures. The Magic women travel to Diamond Valley to take on the Eagles next Saturday night.

Make sure you are at the BSC on Sunday 29th July from 12pm for the final home double header of the season.