Mens Grand Final Night Summer 2007/08

Added 14 March 2008

The Boroondara Sports Complex was the place to be last night as the best 2 teams from each division played off for the prize of the grand final trophy for Season 2007/08.

The elder statesmen of the competition were up first on court 1. The Hostel Hoods taking on the Hustlers in the Veterans League grand final. Starting the game strongly were the Hostel Hoods, lead by Nathan Plant with 6 points as the Hoods took a narrow 2 point half time lead. However, they were overrun by the Hustlers in the second half. The Hustlers restricted the Hoods to just 8 second half points while scoring a lazy 30 points themselves to run out convincing winners 44-24. Stuart Maxwell led the way with 13 points and was well supported by Harry and Andrew Tsindos with 8 points each.

Over on court two, Blouses took on the Phantoms for the Youth League title. Blouses, rather Daniel Sneddon of the Blouses was quick out of the gates scoring the first 12 points of the game for his team. Meanwhile for the Phantoms, Miles Davis was bombing away from long range and Chris Colman was working manfully in the paint throughout the match. It was just after half time when the Blouses made their move to pull away and win 38-26. Daniel Sneddon finished with 23 points while both Miles Davis and Chris Colman finished with 10 each.

Beyapardn and C-Sharps were up next on court 1 in the B grade grand final. Beyapardn, led by Hugh Wilson, who scored 8 first half points took a 21-16 half time lead. The second half saw Ben Cowens add another 7 points to go with his 7 in the first half as the C-Sharps tried to get back into the game but it was to no avail as Beyapardn held on for victory 43-38. Hugh Wilson finished with 14 and was well supported by Gus Gray and Dan Moore who had 12 each for Beyapardn while B grade award winners Ben Cowens and James Sloane had 14 and 10 respectively.

The C grade grand final was faught out by the youth of the Ravens up against the experience of the Extended Heads. The younger Ravens got off to a better start resulting in a 17-15 half time lead. Hugo Moodie was instrumental in the first half for the Ravens with 9 points. The Extended Heads called on all their experience over the years and played the better basketball when it mattered the most in the second half running away 30-23 winners. The Extended Heads were led by Lachlan Frawley who had 12 points while Hugo Moodie didn't add to his 9 first half points and was the leading scorer for the Ravens. Jason Lee added 8 points for the Ravens.

In what was destined to be a shootout between the Blue Devils and OTG, the A Reserve grand final didn't dissapoint. OTG brought the biggest crowd of the night to support their team with the sounds of snare drums and cymbals. Blue Devils were quick off the blocks and at one stage held a 24-8 lead. Not letting the early deficit deter them, OTG went on a 13-2 run to close out the half to close to within 5 point at the break. OTG were quick to erase the remaining deficit and took the lead mid way through the second half. An entertaining series verbal exchanges between the Blue Devils' Brenton Lenaghan and the OTG crowd took place as the lead changed hands on several times. The game looked like it would be decided in the final moments but the Blue Devils withstood the OTG charge and held them off to win 58-47.

The cream of the crop were last up on court 1. The A grade grand final saw perennial grand finalists Temerity and Pro City go at it again. Unlike last season, where Temerity destroyed the injury ravaged Pro City by a whopping 52 points, this game was neck and neck throughout. It was a battle of Temerity's inside game against the long range barrage from Pro City. Only 1 point separated the teams at half time with Temerity in the ascendancy. As they had done all season Anthony Richardson (Temerity) and Jay Allen (Pro City) were leading their teams with 11 points each. The second half continued to be a close game but it was Temerity who would stay composed down the stretch, icing free throws to take out the title 60-54. Jay Allen led all scorers with 26 points while Anthony Richardson, 23 and Nick Dimitroff, 15 led the way for Temerity.

The winter season for the mens competition starts up again on March 27.

Mens Award Winners Summer 2007/08
Photos from Mens Grand Final 2007/08 in the Gallery