The Lonergan and Muhovics Millicent Basketball Association 2011 / 12 Summer Season Basketball Grand Finals were recently played and well supported with many people coming out to watch the local finals. On the night at the completion of each game winning medallions were presented along with the best and fairest players for the season were announced and presented. All 5 Grand Finals were played on Wednesday 4^th April. 

Senior Women’s grand final was won by Pumas 59 by defeating Saints 56 in a game that has an even 1^st half with Pumas up by 4 points at the half time break. It was Alex Walker and Sarah Puiatti leading the scoring for Pumas but it was the defence on Jasmin Howe for Saints that was the key to them being in front as she only managed nine, 1^st half points which is a modest return by her standards. The third was a different story though with Howe breaking free scoring 15 points for the quarter to give her team a 6 point led and looking good. However this was not to be as Pumas Erin Watson and Sarah Allan decided it was time to show that they could score hitting 16 points between them to get their team the win by 3 points. Team high scorers: Pumas : S. Puiatti 14, E. Watson 14, A. Walker 13, S. Allan 12, M. Allan 4, M. Squire 2. Saints: J. Howe 30, M. Thwaites 10, S. Serle 8, A. Fensom 6, K. Rowe 2.

 Men’s B 1 grand final was won by Eagles 50 defeating Devils 40 with Eagles being in front at every change and always seemed to be in control of the game. Devils came out in the 1^st quarter full of venom and this caused them some issues for the remainder of the game as Dylan Ridley had 4 fouls in the 1^st quarter. This made him be a little cautious for the remainder of the game affecting his team as he is normally a key defencive player and a very aggressive penetrating player who usually score freely. To Devils credit they stayed in the game through some good efforts from Ben Wilson but in the end they just could not match the height or strength of Josh McRostie and when Josh couldn’t get to the basket Andrew Thorne was there keeping his team in front. Team high scorers: Eagles: J. McRostie 21, A. Thorne 16, R. Hutchesson 7, A Patten 2, B. Tilley 2, B. McRostie 2. Devils: B Wilson 15, D Ridley 13, C. Butler 5, A. Ridley 4, T. Butler 3   

 Women’s C Grand Final was between Devils 43 defeating Eagles 35. This game was a thriller with only a point in it at the main break. The first half was a low scoring affair as both teams were playing tight aggressive defense. In the second half the usually high scoring Eagles started to struggle to find the bottom of the net despite Melissa Kneen, Ellie Sullivan and Jess Fitzgerald peppering the ring with attempts. But Devils just kept doing enough with Nat Chambers chipping in with 6 third quarter points and Chantelle McDonald cleaned up in the last with 10 points. This was enough to get the win and cause a big upset as Eagles have been undefeated all season long. Team high scorers: Devils: C. McDonald 15, l. Chilton 10, N. Chambers 7, B. Clarke 6, D. White 4, T. Taylor 2, T. Malthouse 1. Eagles: E. Sullivan 9, M. Kneen 8, A. Haines 6, J. Clark 6, J. Fitzgerald 4, F. Jackman 2

 Women’s B Grand Final between Panthers 33 defeating Eagles 27. The first half was low scoring and defencive with 1 point the difference with Eagles in front through Amy Mason being the game highest scoring player in the game with 7 points. Panthers came out in the third quarter all fired up with Shasta Bowman and Ebony Reilly scoring 4 points and the team 12 for the term. But the key was they only allowed Eagles the opportunity to score 3 points. This gave them a 8 point buffer at the last break and despite Amy Mason trying to muster Eagles in the last, Panthers were able to maintain the pressure and keep scoring as well to win the game and the premiership. Team high scorers: Panthers: S. Bowman 11, J. Cushion 10, E. Reilly 8, S. Holland 4. Eagles: A. Mason 15, K. McIntyre 4, H. Douglas 4, . Warren 2

 Men’s B 2 grade Grand Final between Tigers 29 defeated Pumas 26. Tigers got off to a quick start and were never headed despite Pumas getting back to level at the ¾ time break to make a very close game at the end. Callan Williams of Tigers had a dramatic effect on the game scoring four 3point shots in the low scoring game and combined with ball handling of Craig Talbot and the defencive effort Henry Wallis Tigers managed the game well. Pumas struggled throughout the game to score but evergreen Jamie Cooper and Jed Telfer kept them in touch and with some strong rebounding from Michel Schultz and Patrick Reid Pumas stayed in with a chance until the very end but just couldn’t get the ball in the hole. Team high scorers Tigers: C. Williams 12, H. Wallis 8, C Talbot 5, B. Watson 4. Pumas: J. Cooper 9, J. Telfer 8, F. Slape 4, .P. Seebohm 3, P. Reid 2.

 

Best and Fairest and runner-up 2011 / 2012 Summer season

SECBL       Millicent / Mt Gambier A Grade                            

Best under 18 player          Jasmin Howe (Cats women)

Senior Women

B&F       Jasmin Howe     59 votes                 Runner-up                             S Allan 50votes

Men B 1

B&F       Clint Gallio           41 votes                 Runner-up             Dylan Gamble     39 votes

Men’s B

B&F       Fergus Slape         36votes                 Runner-up             Callan Hobbs       30 votes

Women’s B

B&F       Michelle Hann    68 votes                 Runner-up             Ebony Reilly         40 votes

Women’s C Div 1

B&F       Melissa Kneen      75 votes                Runner-up           Peta Haines        39 votes