Hawthorn Magic Kick Off BigV Season

Added 31 March 2008

BigV basketball returned to the Boroondara Sports Complex for the first time in Season 2008 on Saturday Night. The travelling Mildura Heat took on the Hawthorn Magic in both Womens and Mens in Division One competition. It was also a special night for the Magic men as they unveiled their 2007 Division One premiership banner.

Kicking off the night were the Magic women. The start of the game saw both teams hesitently commence the season as neither team bothered the scorers in the opening exchanges. Once the ball got rolling, the Magic established a lead and controlled the game for the most part, particular on the boards, outrebounding Mildura 56 to 29. The fourth quarter saw Mildura close the gap to as little as 4 points, but the Magic held their nerve and won 61-51. The future of the Magic womens program featured heavily in this opening night win. Lauren Killmister was the outstanding player on the floor with 14 points and 10 rebounds while Jess McKenzie added 13 in her debut.

Following the womens match, we celebrated the achievements of the mens team in 2007 by bringing out the premiership trophy and unveiling the premiership banner. Fittingly, the Mildura Heat were on hand for the ceremony, whom the Magic defeated in an epic grand final series last season. Also on hand were our valuable sponsors: Dick Menting of Bendigo Bank and our good friend Jimmy Shephard from Nando's Hawthorn who was also presented with a signed Magic jersey.

Once the formalities were out of the way, it was down to basketball and the grand final rematch did not dissapoint. In a close first quarter, both teams exchanged baskets before Hawthorn opened up a small 4 point margin at quarter time. The Magic were unable to shake a stubborn Mildura outfit as they hung around for the early part of the second quarter. However, a 10-1 run by the Magic towards the end of the second quarter exclaimated by a breakaway dunk from Jeremy Caust gave the Magic a 49-40 lead before Mildura closed the gap to 5 points, 49-44 at the half.

Hawthorn continued to have complete control of the match and led 73-65 at three quarter time. However, the Magic, seemingly having the match in hand, took their foot off the gas in the fourth period and dried up offensively. Mildura, led by Josh Gill pounced on this and worked their way back into the game, ulimately taking the lead in the dying moments of the game. Gill had the chance to extend the lead to 3 points with 6 seconds remaining, but faultered at the free throw line, opening the door for the Magic. Jay Allen took the ball the length of the court and had a chance to win it from the three point line on the buzzer, but the shot back rimmed and that was all she wrote. Mildura winning the match 89-88. A dissapointing opening to the season for the reigning champion Magic who let the game slide.

Following the match, coach Glenn Rees lamented the loss. "We have to learn from this and play for 48 minutes, not just 36...We've got to learn how to get the ball to the right people and get the shots that we want down the stretch...Lucky for us, it is only game 1 of the season, not game 20."

For the Magic, Caust led the way with 22 points and 5 rebounds and was well supported by big men Seb Belfrage and Stewart Cameron who both chipped in with 16 points apiece. Both were also big on the boards with 11 and 8 respectively. Unfortunately, the Magic were without the services of Belfrage down the stretch due to cramp. Allen was quiet by his high standards with 12 points on 5 of 22 shooting. Mildura were led brilliantly by Gill who finished with 27 points, Jason Spratt with 18 points and Jake Zoch who had 15 rebounds as Mildura coped with the big losses of Glen Barlow and Matt Gange over the offseason.

Unfortunately the Magic women went down to Diamond Valley on Sunday afternoon 69-50. Both Magic teams are on the road next week before returning to BSC in round 3 where the women take on Werribee and the men take on Geelong, who are coached by NBL legend Lanard Copeland. Make sure you are there on Saturday 12th April from 6pm to support the Magic!

Photos courtesy of Charlie "5 Fingas" Fyffe.

2008 Hawthorn Magic BigV Fixtures
2008 Hawthorn Magic BigV Squads
2008 BigV Season Photos in the Gallery