MG Plasterers SECBL Grand Finals

Women

Cougars 93 def Panthers 31

This contest would see the heavy favourite and undefeated Cougars face off with Panthers who managed to scrap through to the final by a point on the back of an Alyssa Duncan free-throw.

The Cougars asserted their dominance on the game from the opening tip scoring the first 6 points before a Sam Crute shot put the Panthers on the board.

The Panthers struggled to contain the firepower of the Cougars who continued to increase their lead each quarter finishing with five players in double figures, with Mikaela Horrigan top scoring on 27 points.

Young player Alyssa Duncan battled hard and managed 16 points for the Panthers but they simply could not keep up with the depth and talent of the Cougars. Cougars player Emily Dawe was awarded the game MVP, playing with her usual versatility and toughness.

Tenille Gray from the Cougars received league MVP honours for another outstanding season, Tenille used her versatile inside and outside game to not only lead her side in scoring but lead them to an undefeated season that was capped off by a big grand final win.

Sally-Jane Allen/Trisha Flett Trophy for the junior polling the most votes in the MVP count went to Saints player Maddi Haggett, a strong inside player that plays with great maturity and has an exciting future ahead of her.

Men

Panthers 95 def Bulldogs Red 81

Only percentage separated these two teams from top and second place at the end of the regular season. In their first finals clash it would be the Bulldogs that would win and gain entry into the Final, while the Panthers would have to go through the Roos to get their second opportunity at the Bulldogs side.

The Panthers started strong against a vulnerable Bulldogs side that were without their leading scorer Matt Black for this contest, opening up a 10 to 3 lead in the first quarter. However, behind the play of Shaun Lock the Bulldogs were able to not only work their way into the contest but hold a two-point lead at quarter time.

Both teams used a balanced scoring approach with each team having five players manage double figures. The scoring battle between young guns Oli Thomson and Duncan Reid showed both sides have very bright futures.

The Panthers made their move in the third quarter stretching the lead out to as many as nine, the Bulldogs were brave and did their best to eat into the lead, it would prove too great going down by 14 points in the end.

Game MVP was awarded to Oli Thomson on the back of his 26 points that included 4 triples.

Simon Berkefeld of the Bulldogs Blue once again was awarded the League MVP after another impressive season, this being an amazing 16^th time Simon has been awarded with the league MVP. The Bill Cook trophy for highest junior vote getter in the MVP count went to Bulldogs Red player Duncan Reid who impressed with 20 points in the grand final.