The Lakers men, under the guidance of playing Coach Chris Mason, won the Men’s A Grade championship title at the 2013 SA Country Basketball Senior Championships in Adelaide last weekend. The Lakers won their six games in the seven team competition and then went on to comprehensively defeat arch rival Eastern Hills, 63-45, in the grand final. Lakers’ Jak Ryan won the Pat O’Keeffe Award for the Most Valuable player in the grand final.

The Lakers Women finished runner-up to Yorke Valley in the Women’s A Grade Final.

This is a most pleasing result for the team, the Lakers Under 18 Women. Coach Trevor Semmens is very pleased with the result and performance of the team throughout the weekend. One of the reasons for the team suiting up for these championships was to prepare for the Division 1 Victoria Country Junior Championships in Bendigo in mid February. The players certainly responded to the opportunity to play against bigger and stronger opponents.

Lakers Men’s Coach Chris Mason did a fantastic job in managing his squad through the demanding 6 game competition and “cut throat” final set up. Each game presented a finals like assignment.

On Saturday they made an impressive start defeating Riverland 54-33, Port Pirie 51-39 and Great Southern 64-38 and then followed up with wins over Eastern Hills, 52-35, and Whyalla, 57-33 on Sunday. On Monday morning they maintained their unbeaten record with a 51-40 win over Strathalbyn.

The Lakers Men then showed that they were the class side of the Championships when they defeated Eastern Hills in a clinical display of team basketball. Final scores were 63-45.Simon Berkefeld consistently led the side with a polished scoring performance. He averaged 15 points per game for the weekend. Jak Ryan improved with every game and topped off the championship with an MVP effort in the final. His work off the boards and conversion numbers were significant in the team’s success.

Coach Mason played a fine leader’s role in keeping the players on track in terms of structure and team defence. Ben Brumby, until injured, Matt Parslow, Joe Ferguson-Lane along with Teagan and Dellon Brown all played well and featured in the overall impressive performances.  

The Lakers men then showed that they were the class side of the Championships when they defeated Eastern Hills in a clinical display of team basketball in the Grand Final.

This result continues the Lakers Men’s long term successes in SA Country Basketball Senior Championships.

The Lakers Under 18 Girls’ achievements in the Championships were well above prior expectations. Coach Trevor Semmens considered the weekend as a segment in the team preparation for the Victorian and SA Country Junior Championships in the coming weeks. He was however more than happy with the outcome of the team’s performances and praised all members on the manner in which they responded to the challenge of playing against the more experienced and stronger opponents. They coped well with the pressure, focused on team structures as they ran their offences effectively and were determined in their defensive efforts.

Semmens made special mention of the efforts of Georgia Green, who had the better of her contests against the stronger “talls” and backed up as a leading scorer. He commended Ebony McDiarmid on her efforts in support of Green, improved defence and confident scoring. Brianna Walters was a key player in her playmaking role and scoring ability.

The Lakers won four of their six games, going down to Yorke Valley in their first game of the weekend and then in the Grand Final.

Results for the weekend read 40-54 to Yorke Valley, Whyalla 51-44, Riverland 59-38, Port Pirie 67-42, Port Augusta 55-32 and then the grand final 34-48 to Yorke Valley.

The Lakers were well in the final against Yorke Valley for the first three quarters but then could not hold former state juniors Georgia Garrard, grand final MVP, and Izzy Daniel in the run home. Ebony McDiarmid, Georgia Green and Brianna Walters led the scoring in the final.                   

WALTERS JUDGED MVP FOR SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS.

Dynamic point guard Brianna Walters won the Award of Most Valuable player in the Women’s A Grade competition of the 2013 SA Country Basketball Senior Championships. This is named the “Mrs. Mudge Award” after a West Adelaide volunteer who was a wonderful supporter of Country Basketball in its early years.  

This open award is a stellar achievement for her as she is still in junior ranks of basketball. She is a member of the state Under 18 squad and has just completed a demanding week at the Australian Country Cup, leading the Under 18 Magpies team to a semi-final appearance.

Walters had an outstanding weekend as playmaker for the Lakers Women. She directed plays, worked hard in defence and was a consistent scorer for her side.