2020 Riverland Basketball Carnival

Mount Gambier Lakers had two teams compete in the 2020 Riverland Basketball Carnival, the U16 Division one Boys and the U18 Division 3 boys.

The U18 boys started the weekend off with a low scoring draw (21 – 21) against the Strathalbyn Storm, the boys had some great exposure to close games with all games except for one being decided by 7 points or less.

A highlight for the side came in the semi final where they held on for a 2-point victory to advance to the grand final. Although the boys came up short in the grand final the experience of playing together was far more valuable.

Coach of the side Gavin Male was happy with the experience for his team, ‘Even competition all weekend and while we didn’t win the ultimate prize there was considerable improvement from the group for their first carnival together leading up to Adelaide.’

It was a Zach Nulty three point shot on the buzzer that kept the U16 boys undefeated for the tournament and gave them the title of champions.

Closing in on half time the boys found themselves in a hole trailing by 16 points to a tough Barossa team that were making every effort to stop the influence of team leader Ben Young, some changes in strategy from head coach Bryan Green regained some momentum and the side dug deep to get themselves back into the game. With 27 seconds left the Lakers had managed to even the score and give themselves a chance, Barossa ran down the clock and managed to score with 2 seconds to go.

Bryan calling a time out to draw up a final play and advance the ball, two seconds is plenty of time in basketball to create an opportunity and that is exactly what the Lakers did. Zach in bounded the ball to Alex Lillecrapp. Both Lakers players took advantage of a brain fade moment by the Barossa player guarding the in bounder who lost sight of Zach to watch the ball, Alex made a great pass to a wide open Zach who was cool enough to sink the game winning three point shot much to the delight of his teammates.
Coach Bryan Green was happy how it worked out and impressed with Zach’s confidence ‘it was just one of our options in our side line play, I asked in the time out who wanted to take the shot and Zach put his hand up without hesitation. I could not have been prouder of the group,  they never gave up in the final,  and it would have been easy to do in the first half.’

The Riverland Carnival was a great experience for the two Lakers side to take part in and a great opportunity to develop on the road to the Country Championships in Adelaide in March.