A DECADE has passed since Blackstars last played in the Townsville Basketball Patron's Cup grand final, but tonight they get a shot at breaking the premiership drought.

Blackstars will play Hyats in the big decider after both teams prevailed in tough qualification matches, with Hyats scoring a last-second 61-59 semi-final win over Cannons, and Blackstars a gritty 78-71 semi victory against Bouncers.

Blackstars' last grand final appearance was in 2002 against Hyats, and it was Hyats who won the game that day.

Now Blackstars' coach Gil Napper is planning to square the ledger 10 years on.

"It's going to be tough because Hyats are a very experienced team and we have a very young group," Napper said.

"But our plan was to build a group that we could take through and it's good they've finally reached tonight's game, so we're looking forward to the challenge."

The off-court rivalry is sure to be as heated as the action on-court, considering Napper and Hyats' coach Ashley Archer are workmates.

"Gil is my boss so it could be pretty awkward the next time at work," Archer joked.

"It won't be easy because they (Blackstars) are coming in with some form ... they climbed from sixth spot into the top four to make finals and got a good win against Bouncers.

"So they've strung some really good results together and we know it's going to be a really tough grand final."

Tip-off for tonight's men's championship grand final at Murray Basketball Stadium is 7.45pm.

Four other grand finals in the competition's women's divisions will also be played tonight, while the women's division one grand final between Blackstars and Hyats is scheduled for tomorrow night.

Men's division one teams -

Hyats: Todd Alloway, Steven Costanzo, Luke Brennan, Brendon McCully, David Sleight, Luke Cann and Brady Rutland.

Blackstars: Max Murray, Michael Demertze, Damon Heuir, Cameron Weber, Jordan Baleikatuba and Jackson Todd.

 

From Townsville Bulletin