U18 Boys Challenge Cup

Two and a half seconds.

That was the time left in the Challenge Cup Grand Final between Maroochydore and Noosa’s under 18 Men’s Basketball Teams. After an hour and a half, and many lead changes only one point separated the combatants. Maroochydore soundly beaten by Noosa only several weeks before, fought their way into the decider with a confidence building 38 point semi final victory over the Ipswich Force. While the undefeated Noosa cruised to an 16 point victory in the other semi final against Toowoomba, setting up an all Sunshine Coast Grand Final. Both teams were on the money from the tip off with excellent shooting percentages all game. With 2.6 seconds on the clock Maroochydore drew to within 1 point courtesy of two free throws, and had the opportunity to take one last shot. It was not to be, Noosa took out the title while Maroochydore took home the knowledge they can play fantastic ball against the best, and will be a force at the State titles in May. Maroocydore Coach Michael Redman said “I was really happy with the way the boys fought all the way to the end. We could have given up a number of times when Noosa stretched the lead out to around 10 but we kept fighting back and had a chance to win.”

U18 Girls Premier League

How you win when the scoreboard doesn’t show it.

Maroochydore under 18 girls Premier League fairytale run at the Championship stopped just short of the end line in the BQJBC grand final. This entirely bottom age team, missing vital players through illness and injuries for the final 4 weeks of competition became the competition ‘giant killers’ through the final rounds of competition. Impressive wins over Brisbane (3 state players), and minor premiers South West Metro (3 state players) saw them come into the grand final as the crowd favourites to take the title in their bottom age year.

The young Clipperesses showed they were there to play with successive baskets from the tip off to establish their credentials. Then Logan scoring supremo Aleisha Myers unleased an unprecedented 36 point individual scoring run which saw the girls down 17 at the half.

The second half was like a different ball game with the defensive instructions on Myers finally implemented and a faultless display of defensive rebounding, quick release, spread the floor and advance the basketball, wearing down the tiring Logan starters. The girl’s superior fitness from cross training activities, their athleticism in the lanes and deeper understanding of time and tempo saw them charge to within 4 points with 2 minutes on the clock. Myers had been contained to 14 second half points and was shooting well short through exhaustion before Logan’s state starting 4 man went to work inside to get herself to the line and put their lead just beyond reach.

The scoreboard didn’t reflect it but it was a huge win for the status of Maroochydore’s junior womens program in the greater basketball community and for these girls themselves as they brushed off their bottom age mindset and came to the self realisation that they can compete with the very best the competition can offer. State Classics will be...as the name suggests!

U20 Girls Premier League

The future looks bright for young team

After being soundly beaten by Gold Coast in Game 1 of the 2010 - 2011 Under 20 Women's Premier League Season we spoke as a team about what we needed to do and if we could do this we would make the finals.  The girls never looked back from there improving every week.

 Although the girl played well, we were unable to overcome the height advantage that Gold Coast had.  All players worked hard all game making a couple of runs at the lead but never really overcoming the deficit.   With all players eligible for the Under 20 Competition next year and most of the girls backing up for D league and possibly QBL, the future looks bright for the 2011-2012 Under 20 Women's Premier League team.