BULLDOGS MEN ALL CLASS IN SECBL BASKETBALL

Restrictions forced Basketball Mount Gambier to play a ten – week MG Plasterers SECBL season this Winter rather than the normal 15-week season and not to present season MVP Awards.

It was a “night out” for the Bulldogs Basketball Club having the Men’s team and players in the composite Women’s team feature in both SECBL Grand Finals, the premier competitions of Mount Gambier and Millicent Associations.

It was also a special night for long term basketball supporters, Krystie and Steve Reid whose sons Todd and Duncan along with daughter Megan, all played in these grand finals.

Bulldogs SECBL Men maintained an unbeaten record for the 2021 Winter Season in fine style with a comprehensive Grand Final win over Saints last Wednesday night. Led by the “master” Simon Berkefeld and backed up by his “apprentices”, Bulldogs gave a clinical display of relentless attacking basketball to outclass Saints.

The Final opened with Matt Black scoring the first three baskets for Bulldogs and immediately had the opposing Saints players under pressure. Berkefeld quickly used his silky-smooth skills to score 11 points, nine coming from beyond the arc to set up a 10-point break at the end of the first quarter.

Bulldogs players worked as a strong unit in defence to hold Saints to just 17 points for the second quarter and at the same time add 28 points to their score at the other end.

Saints tried desperately to regain their scoring momentum of the preliminary final when they compiled 93 points but without reward. Bulldogs tightened their grip on the Premiership in the third period, holding Saints to11 points, the scoreboard reading 70 - 44 at the final break.

Features of the final 10 minutes were tough defensive work off the boards headed by Todd Reid followed up by a scoring surge from Sam and Shaun Lock continued to challenge the Saints.    

Bulldogs’ Todd Reid had his solid performance at both ends of the court rewarded with the MG Plasterers Most Valuable Player in the Grand Final Award. Playing Coach Simon Berkefeld praised his players on their efforts over the season and rated talent and team work as keys to their successful season. Todd Reid, on accepting his award, paid tribute to the performance of Berkefeld and “his leading by example” style.

The final scores of 96 – 59 reflected the depth of talent of Bulldogs unit, which proved to be a class above opposition sides in the Winter Season.

Top scorers were Simon Berkefeld with 32 points, Shaun Lock with 17 and Sam Lock with 13 points for Bulldogs. State junior Jack Haggett on 13 points, led the scoring for Saints, followed by Ben Wilson on 10 and Connell Schultz on9.

 

In contrast to the Men’s final, Cats Women kept their season unbeaten record in tact but only after a tough defensive contest against Bulldogs/Roos. The margin did not extend beyond single figures over the 40 plus minutes of play. Cats were forced to line up with just 5 players because of injuries to Heidi Clark and Abby Denton while Coach Sharon Adams had her full complement of talented juniors at tip off, but lost Siobhan Adams to injury during the game.

A confident and aggressive start by Bulldogs/Roos appeared to unsettle Cats, allowing the home side to get 7 points on the board before Alana Winter and Lucy Denton found the hoop. Cats’ Paula McCrea, made consecutive baskets and levelled the scores at the first break.

Mini surges in the second quarter saw leads of 2 or 3 points seesaw between the two sides. Bulldogs/Roos led 24 – 21 at half time.

In the third quarter teams continued to struggle to score until Sarah Nulty broke the dead-lock with key mid-range baskets and give Bulldogs/Roos a 5-point lead, 37 -32.

Strong work in the keyway by Maddi Haggett early in the final quarter had Cats in front for the first time in the game. Lucy Denton made one from the foul line only to see Macey Griffith level the scores again. Teams traded baskets for the next several minutes. Around the 3-minute mark a cameo 7-point match winning effort by Georgia Winter in 90 seconds sealed a 50 - 43 lead for the Cats. A last ditch three by Sarah Nulty closed the margin to 4, 50-46, at the final siren. Ever-reliable Alana Winter was named the MG Plasterers Most Valuable player in the Grand Final.

Winning Coach Peter Seebohm commended Bulldogs/Roos players and Coach Sharon Adams on their performance on the night, claiming they have a bright future. He urged everyone to build on this season, encourage more players to suit up in the Summer and make the coming season one of the best.

Top scorers for Cats were Lucy Denton with a game high 17 points, Georgia Winter finished with 13 and Alana Winter on 12. On court leader, Sarah Nulty led the scoring for Bulldogs/Roos with 14 while Ellie Bouchier had 13 and Macey Griffith 11.