History was written at the Bern Bruning Basketball Stadium last night (Wednesday) when the Millicent Cats Women won their first South East Coast Basketball League premiership. The win is full of merit because Cats were without star player Kate Seebohm, who guided her side to a 2 point second semi-final win over Cougars.

As a result Cougars started warm favourite and appeared on line for the flag after a 16-9 first quarter. Cats were more efficient in the second quarter but Cougars still maintained an eight point buffer through Catherine Larkin and Georgia Green. The third quarter belonged to Cats’ Sarah Pretty who bagged 16 points including four three pointers to give Cats a 2 point lead. Her team-mates worked hard defensively to subdue Cougars at the other end. The final quarter became a hard physical slog in which Cats kept their noses in front and went on to win 53-48. Pretty finished with 23 points and Jazmine Howe 10.

For Cougars Larkin gave her all for 16 points, the only player in double figures. State junior Green had a tally of 9.

Sarah Pretty won the City of Mount Gambier MVP grand final award.

Panthers-Wizards played well to hold Bulldogs in the first half of the Men’s final. Chris Mason was dominating at both ends; Simon Berkefeld had just 5 for the half and he scored thirteen himself. State junior Matt Parslow had a purple patch in the second period as well. Kurt Russell began to have an impact for Bulldogs just before half-time.

The third quarter, aptly known as the premiership quarter, saw Simon Berkefeld take over and set up the win. He scored 14 points, some from many clever Russell assists. In contrast Wizards scoring dried up, but then kicked back in during the final ten minutes. 

Russell however took over the “go to” role and led Bulldogs to a 68-53 premiership.

Russell had a personal tally of 27 points and Simon Berkefeld 21. Mason finished with 18 and Morrison 16 for Wizards.

Simon Berkefeld was awarded the City of Mount Gambier MVP of the grand final award.

The individual player Most Valuable Awards in the SECBL for the winter season went to Kate Seebohm of Cats who scored 31 votes. Runner-up was Sara Chapple of Bulldogs with 27 votes. Cougars’ team-mates Catherine Larkin and state junior Georgia Green were next with 20 and 18 respectively.

Green won the Sally-Jane Allen/ Trisha Flett Award for the junior scoring most votes with an outstanding 18 votes.

Simon Berkefeld capped off a very successful season by winning the Most Valuable Player Award with a total of 25 votes. Runner-up was Panthers’ Kyle Howe- Tipene on 17, followed by Jamie Croker of Cougars on 16, Peter Loring of Wizards on 14.

Winner of the Junior Award, the Bill Cook Memorial, was Joseph Walker of Cats.

SECBL GRAND FINAL RESULTS:

Women:  Cats 53 d Cougars 48

                Cats’ main scorers were Sarah Pretty 23, Jazmine Howe 10 and Lisa Chittleborough 5.

Cougars Catherine Larkin 16, Georgia Green 9, Narelle Ryan 6.

Men: Bulldogs 68 d Panthers-Wizards 53

Top scorers for Bulldogs kurt Russell 27, Simon Berkefeld 21 and Joe Ferguson-Lane 8.

For Wizards Chris Mason 18, Nick Morrison 16 and Matt Parslow 7.