Grand Final week of Winter Basketball continued to provide excitement for the large number of interested spectators, who were vocal in their support of the senior and junior grand finalists.

On Tuesday the grand finals began with a titanic struggle between Under 12 Boys teams, Clippers and Bucks. The teams traded basket for basket for the majority of minutes as a result of desperate and determined efforts from all players. Andrew Jones, in his first season of coaching managed to steady his side, Clippers, for a 56-49 title win. Players who gained a mention for Clippers were Mitchell Harris, Caleb Bachmann and Patrick Mitchell in his first season of basketball. The Bucks showed tremendous character in the closing minutes when “go to” player Shaun Lock fouled out. Josh Stanley, Lachlan Clarke and Matt Shepherd responded to Coach Jason Scheidl’s encouragement and worked hard right up until the final whistle. It was a fantastic end to a great competition.

The Men’s B Grade Grand Finals followed on Tuesday night. The Stags were warm favourites going into the Gold Division Final. The “golden oldies” in Wreckett Wreckers were not to be under-estimated and had several opportunities to pinch the flag in the closing minutes. The Stags managed to hang on for a 2 point win, 38-36, amid a noisy and emotional finish.

Adam Nicholson, in his effort of scoring a game high 14 points for Stags, was awarded the Sportspower MVP of the final. Nathan Koopman had 8 and Ben Tremelling 7 for Stags. Rohan Harrap had 11 for Wreckers, well supported by Warwick Kettle on 10 and Anton Kurray on 7.

 This season Harrap once again showed the skills and understanding of the game that made him a leading player for the Association for many years with the Pioneers for a period. He won the season Most Valuable Player Award from joint runners-up Ben Tremelling of Stags and Dylan Bromley of Raptors.

The Men’s B Grade Blue Division Final followed the pattern of the night and developed into a close affair especially in the last quarter when Beagle Boys finished off well and had Hawks under all sorts of pressure. Hawks however celebrated wearing their impressive new playing strips with a 42-39 premiership. Hawks team organizer David Allen led the scoring for his side while Nathan Tana had 9 points and Luke Ryan 7. Grant White and Aaron Meyers led the points’ totals for Beags.

Tana in an all round effort, was named MVP for the final.

White of Beagle Boys won the season Most Valuable player award with a score of 15 votes. There were four runners-up; Andrew Illman, Michael O’Connor, Joel Rannenberg and Matt Vivian.  

The Under 16 Girls Grand Final was played on Wednesday as a curtain raiser to the SECBL finals. Arch rivals Cougars, who won the second semi-final and Panthers, played their traditional tough and close contest in which one or two points separated the scores.

Cougars’ Georgia Green was in scorching form while Brianna Walters and Kelly Lockwood replied for Panthers. The game however, took on a different perspective when Cougars player Bailey Watson was injured. Kim Loughhead shot well later in the game to close out the final for Panthers, 47-30.

The Under 12 Girls final was played between Hot Shots, coached by Sharon Adams and Matildas, under the guidance of Andrew Flett. These two sides had had sterling battles throughout the season. Unfortunately talented junior Lauren Ross was not available for Matildas. She was state athletics duties in Darwin. Her team-mates however stepped up and worked hard against a full strength Hot Shots. Felicity Clayton, Sarah Flett and Tia Taylor gave their all but were unable to match the team performance of Hot Shots.

Geogia Hood, Olivia Patzel and Jordyn Adams were consistent in their efforts for Hot Shots.

The Under 14 Girls grand final was postponed because an annual school camp which claimed several players from the one team on the scheduled night. It was played last Monday night between Opals and Gems. This final, similar to the other junior title games, were witnessed by a big crowd of families and friends. This atmosphere encouraged the girls and as a result a high standard and entertaining final was played. State junior Rachael Hines was the leader for Opals and kept control. Amber Hood and improving Briar Bawden were others to do well for Opals.

Gems’ players responded to the positive appraoch of Coach Andrew Lee and fought game right out. Under 12 player Georgia Hood deserves a special mention for her fantastic game for the Gems. She was well supported by Brenna McKay and team-mates. 

It was pleasing to see coaches Lee and Liz Noble-Hines give all players ample court time and the chance to enjoy the occasion.

The 2011/12 Summer Season begins in the week of October 17^th when the Under 10, 12 and 14 players will register and the Club competitions, senior and junior, will tip off.