MG Plasterers SECBL Awards

While the MG Plasterers SECBL seasons were brought to an abrupt finish right on the eve of finals the regular season was finished allowing for individual awards to be decided.

The Men’s competition had a number of strong performers during the regular season, Brad Rathjen of the Panthers had led his team to a top of the table finish dropping only one game during the season, Toby de Wit had some monster games for his scrappy Cougars team including a 54 point game against the Cats. It was however Simon Berkefeld of the Bulldogs Blue who came away with the Summer MVP award, Simon led his team in scoring averaging 23 points per contest and had his side sitting second on the ladder leading into finals.

The ever modest Simon who is no stranger to the award believes the talent of the league is in a really good place, ‘there are a lot of really good players in the league at the moment who would be deserving, so it is nice to get the award with that in mind.’

‘I would like to thank my teammates for making this season another enjoyable one and the umpires who have the toughest job out of anyone.’

Simon who can hurt other teams from outside the three-point line and with slippery drives to the hoop also has a real knack for keeping his teammates involved thoroughly deserved the award, this being the 17^th time he has won the SECBL MVP.

The women’s competition had a number of great performances from players including a 33-point game by Emily Winter against the Bulldogs/Roos, a 32 point performance by Mikaela Horrigan and a 30 point outburst from Keryl Ousey. It was however young gun Tara Bryant of the Panthers who was awarded the MVP for the 2019/20 Summer season. Tara had a consistent season for her Panthers side that finished the regular season 3^rd, Tara is really happy with her efforts this season, ‘I am really proud of how I have worked hard and played consistently throughout the season.’

Tara acknowledged those that have supported her throughout the season, ‘I’d like to thank my parents for supporting me and taking me to games, the coaches and my teammates, I’d also like to thank those that organise the competition.’

The young star has been flourishing from behind the three-point line where she has become deadly, her biggest output was 23 point game against the Bulldogs Roos that included 7 three pointers. In these tough time Tara has continued to find ways to improve ‘I have continued to practice my shooting; I have been going for runs and doing some home workouts.’

Along with her MVP Tara was awarded the Sally Jane Allen/Trisha Flett memorial trophy as the junior with the highest MVP votes, great reward for a great season by an exciting young player.

The Bill Cook trophy that is awarded to the highest junior vote getter in the MVP count was once again won by Duncan Reid of the Bulldogs Red. Duncan a young athletic player that has spent sometime recently working with the Mount Gambier Pioneers men’s program has seen a real progression in his development and confidence on the court. Duncan’s time with the CBL Lakers side was another opportunity to develop his game and the award is proof Duncan’s development is tracking in the right direction.

Duncan made it clear he has had plenty of support to this point in his career, ‘I’d like to thank Matthew Berkefeld for the opportunities with the CBL Lakers side and to Richard Hill for the opportunity and time to improve my game. Scott O’Connor has been a great influence for me at the Bulldogs.’

In these tricky time Duncan has continued to find ways to keep working on his game , ‘It has been hard but I have tried to stick to my usual schedule with Basketball, on Monday and Wednesday I have basketball sessions at home and two other days I go for runs.’

Duncan averaged just over 18 points on the season including a 40 point outing against the Cats, he is a bright young player with a great work rate and desire to improve, we look forward to seeing how far Duncan can take it.