SE Coast basketball semi-final night produced everything from excitement to drama and most importantly an overall high standard of play.

The two second semi-finals in particular were spectacles of high standard, tough and uncompromising basketball.

Bulldogs Men started warm favourites after having easily accounted for Panthers-Wizards in the minor rounds, 68-54 and 83-64.

It was however a different story on Wednesday night when Bulldogs was at full strength and Wizards down two regular players. The styles of play in the first half were contrasting; Bulldogs relied on “go” man. Simon Berkefeld while Wizards’ Nick Morrison, state junior Matt Parslow, Chris Mason and Michael Stephens kept the scoreboard ticking over. Berkefeld had 22 of his team’s 39 at the main break.

One point separated the scores at this stage.

Bulldogs through Berkefeld, continued much of the same and had support from Kurt Russell to get out to a 7 point lead. A dour defensive contest developed in the final 10 minutes as Bulldogs hung on to snare a spot in the grand final. Feature of the game was the 35 point haul by Berkefeld. Trio Mason, Morrison and Parslow were consistent for the Wizards.

Panthers men made a gutsy start in their sudden death final against Cougars.

They managed to contain Pioneers’ star Dallas Jeffree and at the same time kept pace on the scoreboard. The game took on a totally different complexion in the second half when the curtain opened on the Jeffree show. He scored a massive 21 points, including four triples in the 10 minutes to parcel up the game. Panthers in contrast could only manage a total of 9 and lost Teagan Brown with an ankle injury. Jeffree added another 10 in the last quarter, making his tally a night high 37, and set up the 78-49 win. Jamie Croker and Jackson Trappett also had impacts early in the game. Tyson Kettle was clearly best for Panthers, who have struggled for strike power since the departure of Kyle Howe-Tipene.

The result of the Panthers-Wizards/ Cougars Preliminary final on Wednesday appears to hinge on the defensive job on Jeffree. It will take a full 40 minute effort if Wizards are to get another crack at the strong Bulldogs. Early in the season Wizards defeated Cougars without Jeffree 86-42 but the result, 71-60, was reversed in their next outing.

In sharp contrast to their earlier meetings, Panthers women dominated their first quarter semi-final against Bulldogs. Brianna Walters, Abby Loughhead and Kathryn Facey all converted well to give their side a 22-6 scoreline at the break.

The second quarter was a much more even affair as Bulldogs’ Sara Chapple strutted her stuff but Panthers was able to maintain a double figure lead. Bulldogs made inroads into the margin in the third as the Panthers momentum stumbled to a degree.

Right up until the closing minutes Panthers appeared to be in control but then Bulldogs made a last gasp thrust and narrowed the gap to just two with 4 minutes to play. Morgan Amy, Sarah Lock and Peta Simkin joined Chapple in this surge. Abby Loughhead however regained control for Panthers and finished off a stand out game with the final 6 points and secure a 7 point win.

The women’s second semi-final was a typical top contest between arch rivals Cougars and Cats. The game was steeped in emotion as Kate Seebohm suited up for Cats for the last time before embarking on a College Basketball Scholarship in the USA. Drama followed when Shauni Cunningham was sidelined with a knee injury in the third quarter.

The game was a tough, high standard contest in which 4 was the biggest margin in the game. Defence appeared to be on top and points hard to come by. Cougars’ Catherine Larkin and Cats’ Kate Seebohm were the main scorers for the respective sides.

Larkin finished strongly for a game high 24 points, despite losing Cunningham in the third quarter but could not get her side home in a cliff hanger. Final scores were 52-49 giving Cats a place in the winter grand final.   

 Panthers now meet Cougars this week in the preliminary final.          

Times for Preliminary Finals on Wednesday Night:

7.15p.m. Women Panthers v Cougars

8.30p.m. Men Panthers-Wizards v Cougars.