Final results were -

Women B grade coached by Lisa Gepp unfortunatly failed to secure a victory this year.

Mens B Grade coached by Spider Morris dissapointingly did not win a match either.

The Murray Bridge Senior Men’s Basketball team recently competed in the Senior State Country Championships on the 28^th & 29^th January at Wayville Basketball Stadium.

 

The team had been training for a number of weeks looking to put in a more competitive effort than last year where they did not win a game. The weekend started well with a comfortable win over Whyalla 52 to 25, great team play and athleticism saw the Bullets team outplay a much taller opposition and run out comfortable winners. The second game for the day was against Port Augusta. The game was a physical affair with scores staying tight through to half time. The second half saw the Bullets again show both their depth and speed ultimately pulling out to a 18 point victory, 56 to 38. After a day of sweltering conditions the team then had to face up to a third game against last years Champions Eastern Hills. Bullets started confidently pulling away to a 6 point lead early in the game however Eastern Hills were up to the challenge and as the game progressed were able to stay in touch. Eastern Hills talented and experienced players came to the fore and late in the game were able to pull away to win by 7 point, 45 to 52.

 

The second day had the Bullets cross over the pools against Port Pirie. Possibly feeling the effects of the heat and three games the previous day the Bullets struggled to shake them and the game ended up a tightly fought affair through to the end. Bullets finally gained some ascendency in the last quarter pulling away to record a 9 point victory, 43 to 34.  Bullets then faced the fancied Mount Gambier, a team boasting the majority of their town based team that plays in the Victorian league. The Bullets were more than up for the challenge and through superior team work and some outstanding high percentage shooting were able to run out comfortable winners 64 to 50.

 

Bullets then proceeded to the Grand Final against Eastern Hills. Eastern Hills boasts a number of ex-state league players and a wealth of experience from competing and winning numerous State Country Championships. The Bullets put in a competitive effort staying within touch throughout the first three quarters but unable to take the ascendancy and the lead. The young brigade of Murray Bridge boys never took a backward step though even when challenged physically by the much taller and physical opposition. Eastern Hills however showed their depth of talent and shooting prowess to pull away late in the game to a 14 point victory, 51 to 37.

 

The experience of making the Grand Final is a great stepping stone for a very young Bullets squad and indicates a bright and promising future if the team can continue to play together into the future.

 

Another highlight  for the weekend was Brad Hartmann being named joint MVP for the tournament. The award being very well deserved with Brad being the stand-out athlete across the weekend with a display of great shooting, high flying dunks and some great defense.

 

Team:  Back row: Brad Hartmann, Matthew Kowald, Jordan Hollitt, Brent Canaway, Anthony (Steady) Edwards, Paul Salter (coach)

            Front row: Travis Prosser, Beau Rowland, Jake Salter, Tyson Prosser, Brett Altschwager.