Junior Grand Finals
Last Friday at the Basketball stadium there was a large crowd to see the 6 Junior Grand Finals played and won. The age groups playing are under 12, under 14 and under 16 boys and girls.
The under 12 girls’ game, Eagles verses Rebels was won by Rebels as Isabel Turner did not allow Emily Winter for Eagles the opportunities to get to the basket to score as freely as she did in the 2nd semi. Despite this Emily did dominate the defensive rebounding and scoring for Eagles. However Eagles were just unable to capitalize on Emily’s rebounds as they struggled to score despite young Kate Walker getting a few late in the game to keep Eagles in contention. Megan Freeman and Lara McGregor of Rebels showed their experience and determination by always getting to the contest which created pressure and scoring opportunities for them and their team. Isabel Turner was the best player on the court and her standout performance that created the win for her team.
Rebels 27 defeated Eagles 24
High Scorers Rebels: M. Freeman 10, L. McGregor 10. I. Turner 5, C. Stratford 2. Eagles: E. Winter 15, K. Walker 5, M. Tilley 2, M. Gray 2
The under 12 boys Roos played Eagles and with no Will Chay being present for Roos Eagles always had the upper hand winning all quarters. Eagles Jack Verbena, Spencer Jones and Josh Werchon took on the scoring role while Brad Hann and Connall Schultz rebounded strongly which created not only shots for their team mates but also scores for themselves. This created Roos some issues as they weren’t able to shut down the amount of options Eagles were creating. Sam Gray, Harry Willis and Liam Mills all managed to score but the defence of Eagles made it hard work and they could find a consistent scoring avenue to stay in the game.
Eagles 45 defeated Roos 29
High Scorers Eagles: J. Verbena 16, S. Jones 10, J. Werchon 8, B. Hann 7, C. Schultz 4. Roos: H. Willis 7, S. Gray 6, L Mills 6, R. Zerk 5, T. Ferguson 3, J. Hateley 2.
Roos defeated Saints in the under 14 boys Grand Final with Roos, Jez Jones scoring 25 points and Tanner Hutchesson being dominate in the rebounding department and this was despite big Luke McGregor scoring 19 points for Saints. Jack Gray of Roos led his team well by controlling the tempo of the game and getting the ball where it needed to be while Saints tried desperately to stay in the game with Sam Willis and Jordon Gould the only other scorers for their team. Roos just had too many consistent performers and they kept finding Jez in the right place and he finished off most of his attempted shots.
Roos 48 defeated Saints 31
High Scorers Roos: J. Jones 25, J. Gray 12, T. Hutchesson 7, T.Craig 4. Saints: L. McGregor 19, S. Willis 6, J. Gould 6
The under 14 girls game between Saints who won through to the grand final from the 2nd semi played Roos who won the preliminary from 3rd spot on the ladder. The contest between Isabella Stratford and Alana Winter was enthralling with both players taking it to the basket aggressively and this kept both their teams in the hunt for the premiership, but it was really the players around them that made the difference. Chloe Golding for Roos was shooting well, Elinor Leake was rebounding and the smaller brigade of Vic Lucas, Issy Turner and Halle Whittaker all kept pressure on the Saints players. Saints had Maddie Pulmer rebounding and getting the occasional score, Jess Venn and Sophie Ferguson working hard but they just could not bridge the gap that Roos created in the first half of the game, 26 to 17. Saints kept working in the second half to outscore Roos but just fell short in the end by 4 points.
Roos 43 defeated Saints 39
High Scorers Roos: A. Winter 14, C. Golding 12, I. Turner 6 V. Lucas 5, H. Whittaker 4. Saints: I Stratford 17, M. Pulmer 8, T. Morley 4, S. Ferguson 4.
The under 16 girls Grand Final between the top team Devils and 4th placed Tigers was no fairy tale ending as Devils were always in control of the game with players like Lucy Walker, Cody Manning, Katelyn Wilson and Demi Smith playing solid defence and they always found ways to create scores for their team when they needed and this was quite often Maddie Pulmer. Alex Walker, Reanne Wetherall and Olivia Fuller of Tigers played well and did the bulk of the scoring but just could not score consistently under pressure, while Alice Bowering and Abbie Smith worked hard in defence for their team. Devils had a good 2nd quarter scoring 21 to 10 which kept Tigers at arm’s length and they could not bridge the gap however they did rally late in the 3rd and early in the last to get within 4 points but Devils repelled them again and went on to win by 6 points.
Devils 49 defeated Tigers 43
High Scorers Devils: M. Pulmer 14, K. Wilson 9, C. Manning 7, D. Smith 6, I. Stratford 4, H. Pretty 2. Tigers: R. Wetherall 17, A. Walker 16, O. Fuller 8, G. Gray 2.
The under 16 boys game was Pumas who were convincing winners of the 2nd semi-final played Devils who won the preliminary final by 1 point to get through to the Grand Final. The first quarter was even with only 1 point between them at the break but in the second quarter James Wallis, Brodie Fabris and Brady Gibbs found ways to get to the basket and Devils were 6 points down at the end of the quarter, this was despite Austin Galli and Callan Hobbs scoring 6 each for Devils.
After the main break Pumas stayed with their take it to the basket style of play and because of the size advantage against Devils this worked well for them and they won the third by 4 points which put Devils 10 points down going into the last. In the last Austin Galli Devils, came home with a wet sail finding ways to score. He was also helped by the fact that James Wallis and Brodie Fabris from Pumas both fouled out of the game. He was not helped though when 2 of his team mates fouled out as well which turned the game back to Pumas who ran out winners by 4 points.
Pumas 47 defeated Devils 43
High Scorers Devils: B. Gibbs 15, J. Wallis 14, B. Fabris 14,T. Tukia 2, W. Gilbertson 2. Devils: A. Galli 18, C. Hobbs 11, j. Grimes 9, M. Pulmer 4, J. Gregory 1
After each game, winning medallions were presented in the upstairs clubroom.
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