Sharks End Magic's Premiership Reign

Added 4 August 2008

Following a crushing 33 point home defeat at the hands of Sherbrooke back in round 4 and with a quarter of the season gone, only the Altona Gators stood between Hawthorn and the bottom of the ladder. At this stage, the Magic were looking more like relegation material than defending premiers. Fast forward to round 15 where a vital home win over Sunbury launched the Magic from 7th to 4th spot on the ladder and right into the mix for the finals. The Magic's late season run had given them an opportunity to defend the title they won so thrillingly last season in Mildura.

A near capacity crowd flocked to the Boroondara Sports Complex on Saturday night to watch the Division One Mens elimination final between the Hawthorn Magic and the visiting Southern Peninsula Sharks. The reward for victory would be a spot in the preliminary final against what ultimately turned out to be the Geelong Cats.

Both teams started the match shooting an incredible 100% from the field in the opening few minutes, the Magic connecting on their first 6 field goal attempts including 2 three point bombs. Hawthorn opened up a healthy lead of 11 points mid way through the opening term and threatened to run away with the game before Southern Peninsula reeled them back in to only trail by 2 at the first break.

The second quarter was closely fought as both teams failed to shake the other off with neither team having any more than a 4 point lead. Jeremy Caust providing the highlight of the quarter with a breakaway jam, getting the Magic faithful on their feet. The Magic held the slimmest of leads going into the half time break, 61-60.

Following the break, the Sharks looked to seize control of the match as Kyle Reid and Jared Swanson scored 22 third quarter points between them. Despite being outplayed in the third period, the Magic were still very much in the game trailing 90-88.

With the prospect of the season being over in just 12 minutes for both teams, the Sharks took the assendency in the match and looked to take it beyond the reach of the Magic in the first 2 minutes of the last quarter, stretchling the lead to 7 points. Hawthorn countered the Sharks early fourth quarter run with a 13-6 run of their own to level at 102 mid way through the final quarter. However, the Sharks would once again look to take the game away from the Magic increasing their lead to 6 points. Jay Allen single handedly tried to keep the Magic in the game with 20 fourth quarter points.

With a minute remaining in the game, the Sharks held what seemed to be an insurmountable 116-110 lead. Allen was fouled shooting a 3 pointer and connected on the consequential 3 free throws to close the gap to 3 points. Magic pressure on defence forced a travel and turnover from Swanson giving the Magic an opportunity to send the game into overtime with 15 seconds remaining. However, a big time heads up play from Jake Watkins, picking the pocket of Chris Bellesini lead to a breakaway layup for the Sharks' guard and once again looked to kill off the Magic. Again, Allen was foulled shooting a 3 pointer, sending the Magic co-captain to the line. Allen miised the first before making the last 2 of the free throws reducing the margin to 3 points with 6 seconds remaining. Off the long inbounds pass from the Sharks, Allen pinched the ball in the Magic backcourt before finding Justin Guppy for an unlikely 3 pointer just inside half court on the buzzer but it fell short. Southern Peninsula holding on for a 116-113 victory in what was a heartbreaking end to the Magic's premiership defence.

Allen led all scorers with a massive 46 point effort and was supported by Caust with 23 points and Matt Slaven who had 18 and 10. For the Sharks, Swanson finished with 35 points and 13 rebounds and Reid had 30 points and 8 rebounds.

Next week, Southern Peninsula visit Geelong with the winner to play the winner of the Sherbrooke-Sunbury at Monbulk in the grand final series for 2008.

Thanks to Cathryn Lowe for the photos from Saturday night's game.

BigV Basketball will return to BSC next season bigger and better with the introduction of Hawthorn Magic Youth League teams.

Jazzy's Blog: It's Winning Time
Magic Clinch Finals Berth
Join in the Chorus in the Media Section
Magic Profiles: Meet Our BigV Magic Players
Em's Blog: What A Weekend Off Can Do
2008 BigV Season Photos in the Gallery