Under 18 Men Division 1

Game 1

Bullets got the championships off to a win with what would be the closest game of their tournament against a star studded Great Southern team. Bullets started the game convincingly with their hard nosed defense, limiting their opposition’s opportunities and controlling the temp of the game, ending the half with Bullets leading 28 to 25. Bullets showed glimpses of the brilliance that had won them two previous tournaments with great passing and athletic individual efforts from Chad Wingard and Brad Hartman.. The last quarter was one of the most exciting battles of the tournament with both teams putting all their skills on show. The Bullets however showed their depth and character with great team play and two clutch three point shots within the last dying minute that would see them take the win 68 points to 65.

Game 2

The second game for Saturday saw Bullets take onWhyalla  The Bullets started in convincing fashion with great team play that would see Jake Salter and Hartman dominating the offensive boards and Wingard, Sean Samblich and Keedan Rigney running the floor. The second quarter saw the Bullets stamp their dominance on the game adding a further 27 points through some outstanding shooting.  Brett Altschwager and Jarrod Lienert showed just how damaging they could be offensively with some great drives to the basket and pin point shooting and with Brayden Dalitz adding some speed and  Wingard showed that he is one of the states premier point guards, appearing to be able to score at will whilst still setting up his team mates with multiple assists. All eight players contributed to an outstanding team performance and the Bullets ran out convincing winners, 85 - 43

Game 3

Sundays first game got off to a slow start, seeing Port Lincoln score the first five points. Bullets called a time-out and the team that walked back on the floor took total control of the game going on to score 14 points and finish the quarter up by 8. Bullets started the second quarter not capitalizing on their shots but when Wingard and Altschwager hit consecutive 3 pointers the team lifted their defensive intensity enabling the Bullets to score in transition and end the half with a handy lead 38-12. The Bullets commenced the third quarter with some high percentage shooting with Samblich and Hartman scoring from the perimeter and Lienert penetrating the key. The last quarter saw the Bullets reduce their intensity at both ends of the court to conserve their energy., Bullets 66 -28.

Game 4

Bullets took on the Riverland in game 4 of the tournament.. The Riverland was a much taller team in stature, but they were no match for the talented Bullets who won 74-38.

Game 5, Quarter Final

The game started at a frantic pace with the Bullets crushing the opposition with great team defense and full court pressure. Strathalbyn struggled to move the ball into their front court under the extended pressure. Salter showed his talents at both ends of the court, pulling in numerous rebounds and taking advantage of some excellent passing from his team mates to score close to the basket. The true depth of the Bullets was on show with Lienert, Altschwager and Dalitz playing big minutes and all contributing to the overall teams effectiveness. By the third quarter the Bullets had pulled out to a 13 point lead. The Bullets played with confidence throughout the last quarter but to Strathalbyns credit they never gave up. Bullets 61 – 55..

Game 6, Semi Final

The Semi final saw the Bullets take on Whyalla. The Bullets got off to a confident start scoring the first 6 points of the game. Samblich drove to the basket strongly and with Rigney back to confident shooting the bullets pulled out to a 7 point lead, The second and third quarter was a tightly fought affair with neither team being able to stamp their ascendency.. Lienert and Altschwager were also thrown into the mix with both of them showing that their games had matured to a new level.  As the three quarter time siren sounded the Bullets had only extended their lead by a point, Bullets 38-30. Steelers obviously thought they were in with a chance for an upset. Bullets had great team play and some of the best individual efforts on show for the weekend, Bullets won a spot in the Grand final.

Game7, Grand Final.

The Bullets found themselves playing the Great Southern team in the Grand Final. The Bullets got off to a great start scoring 7 points this included two 3 pointers within the first three minutes. The Bullets guards streamed into offense and pulled away to a ten point lead at the quarter break 27-17. The second quarter saw much of the same with the Bullets playing strong defense and executing brilliantly in offense and increased their lead by 17 points at the half.  Wingard and Samblich penetrated the key with ease, Hartman and Salter controlled the rebounds and with Rigney shooting from range the Bullets appeared headed for their second straight Championship. Great contributions from Lienert, Altschwager and Dalitz ensured that the Bullets retained their lead and go on to win the Championship. Bullets 88 - 68.