Last night, Monday night, the 2011 winter season Grand Final week began on a high note.

The opening grand final, the Under 14 Boys between Giants, coached by Bryan Green, and Sixers with Brad Kirk at the helm, was a thriller from start to finish with margins of just one or two throughout the game. The large crowd of supporters was treated to a high standard game in which players gave all as they worked desperately for possessions and baskets.

 

Liam Beckman played a key role for Giants while Brad Rathjen did likewise for Sixers. A feature of the game was the performances of newcomers to basketball including Bradley Mitchell, who was determination personified in his efforts to gain the ball and set up scoring chances. Christian Magracia is another who was strong in the keyway against tough opposition led by Lachlan Hunter.

Final scores were 34-31 after one point separated the two sides until the last minute on the clock.

Special mention must be made of the fantastic job done by the two junior referees in Danika Jolley and Dellon Brown in the Under 14 Boys’ final. They handled the pressure situation with a composure and maturity beyond their years.

The Under 16 Boys Final between minor premier Cougars and Bulldogs was another entertaining spectacle. Cougars have been the standout side throughout the season but Bulldogs, clearly the underdogs, applied pressure for three quarters.

The classy Cougars pair, Kane deWit and Sam Stafford took over in the final quarter and guided their side to a comfortable 61-36 premiership. Stephen Sochacki and under-rated Bryce Whicker put in big performances for Bulldogs.

Cougars Under 19 Men had flag favourite Panthers in all sorts of trouble early in their grand final. They exploited Panthers’ defence and skipped out to a sizeable lead through Jackson Trappett and Kane deWit. As the game wore on however, Matt Parslow steadied Panthers and organized their play to set up a lead.

From here on Panthers got out to double figure leads on many occasions only to see Cougars cut it back and stay in with a chance to win this title game. Jak Ryan, after a rather hesitant start, scored a game high 18 points for Panthers in their 54-44 win.

The excitement of the night continued in the Women’s A Reserve Final between Rooettes and Panthers when extra time was needed to decide the premier. Rooettes have been the leader in this grade this season.

 Liz Jarnevic and Kathryn Facey, restricted to a degree by injury, had a sterling tussle inside as Jarnevic built on her personal tally. The Panthers smaller players struggled against their bigger and stronger opponents. Kelly Lockwood however adapted well to be Panthers’ top scorer with 16 points.

Rooettes led by two in the closing seconds of regulation time but a reset on the clock of four seconds gave Panthers the window for Lockwood to level the scores at 33 a piece.

Rooettes regained their composure and won the extra time 7-3 and the A Reserve title.

Game leading scorer Jarnevic was awarded the District Council of Grant MVP for the final.               

Roos completed a really solid season in the Men’s A Reserve Grade this season and finished off well to win the Grand Final against Bullets on Monday night.

It was a tough physical affair in which the height advantage of Cameron Kennedy and Shane Heemskerk proved to be a hurdle for Bullets. Kennedy on 16 points and Heemskerk on 14 top scored for Roos. Josh Nobes on 11 led for Bullets. The District Council of Grant MVP for the final Award went to Shane Heemskerk of Roos.

The A Reserve Grades Most Valuable Players for the season were also named and presented with awards on Monday night. There were joint winners in the Women, Ebony McDiarmid of Bulldogs and Brianna Walters of Panthers who each scored 14 votes. Liz Jarnevic of Rooettes was runner-up on 13.

Matt Berkefeld of Bulldogs hit top form in the final weeks of the season and went on to win the MVP Award for the Men’s A Reserve grade. He scored 19 votes from runner-up Teagan Brown of Panthers, who polled 14 votes.