JUNIOR GRADES.

Under 12 Boys

The margins of games between grand finalists Rookies, coached by Sonya Knight, and Wildcats, under the guidance of Michelle Stephens, have been in the one or two point bracket. The final series followed the same pattern. Wildcats won the second semi-final on a last gasp shot from Sam McManus but Rookies turned the tables in the grand final, 26-22. The game was entertaining for the large crowd of parents and supporters. It featured smart transition and had all players on court contributing.

Emmerson White and Todd Reid did well for Rookies while Sam McManus and new comer Ethan Moulden received a special mention for Wildcats.

Under 14 Boys                         

Superstars were the bench mark for the Under 14 Boys competition this season and cruised into the grand final. Dragons, in contrast, had to work hard to get a spot in the final. Their efforts in pushing Superstars to the limit in the final deserve special mention. It took a basket from Liam Beckman in the last minute to secure a 41 -39 win for Superstars. Sam Stafford and Todd Lockwood for Superstars and Stephen Sochacki and the improving Brad Haggett of Dragons played well.

Under 16 Boys                        

Blue, led by State junior Matt Parslow, and coached by Simon Berkefeld defeated Purple 60-48 in the Under 16 Boys Final. A feature of this game was the obvious improvement of Brad Tiller, Brad Kirk and Robert Hein, all members of the town team which won the Division 4 SA Country Championships last weekend.

Parslow and Matt Markiewicz, until in foul trouble, led well for their sides. Promising Under 14 Sam Stafford and Marcus Wanganeen were also solid contributors.

Under 19 Men                       

Roos had been hot favourites for this title throughout the season. The grand final proved to be a different ‘ball game. Cougars, after upsetting Panthers, went into the final as underdogs with nothing to lose. The scores were much closer than expected with the lead changing hands on many occasions in the last quarter. Cougars’ Nathan Faroe took the game into overtime from the foul line and then, under the smart leadership of Ashley Taylor, Cougars went on to win 48-43. Taylor, Faroe and Jackson Trappett played well for Cougars while Cameron Kennedy, Matt Markiewicz and Sam Dewar were the main scorers for Roos.

Under 12 Girls                       

Swifts and Billabong Babes played off in the Under 12 Girls Final.

Swifts were the leaders in this competition throughout the season while Babes just sneaked into the finals series and worked hard through the series to make the grand final.

The match was close for the first half but Swifts, led by talented Tenille Gray, edged away for a 24-15 win. Bridie McCourt in her first season of basketball played well for the winners. Geogia Hood and Keelie Amy led the scoring for the Babes.

Under 14 Girls                        

Flames were premiers in the Under 14 Girls competition. They defeated Lightning in a surprise result, 50-27.The Flames players were confident from the outset and soaked up the surges from Lightning. Rachael Hines played an outstanding game for Flames. Teammate and on court leader Bailey Watson played a vital role as did Yazmin King especially in the second half. Tahlia Earl and Jordy Jones had good games for Lightning.

Under 16 Girls                      

Throughout the season Cougars and Panthers have had close games with the outcome not known until the final minutes. Their grand final contest followed this pattern and the result of 36-32 in Cougars’ favour decided as the clock wound down. Leading scorers in the final were Emily Stafford and Georgia Green for Cougars along with Tayla Gray and Sam Loughhead for Panthers.

The Basketball Mount Gambier 2010 winter season begins in the week of April 19^th. Nominations for teams close on April 12^th.