D1 and D2 Grand Finals Previews!

Division One Men

Shepparton vs Bellarine

Game 2: Saturday 3^rd September 7:00pm at Shepparton Sports Stadium

Game 3 (if needed): Sunday 4^th September 2:00pm at Shepparton Sports Stadium

It was a packed crowd at the Bellarine Sports Centre as the Bellarine Storm took on Shepparton in game 1 of the finals. Shepperton were aggressive early, getting on the offensive glass and finding paint touches which generated high percentage shots.

Bellarine’s energy lacked as they allowed open 3pt opportunities to Garrett Jefferson. With a 10-point margin at the half, Shepparton’s way it looked like they had the momentum. It was until the 3^rd quarter where the Storm found form and took control of the game, holding the Gators to 6 points. The crowd was well introduced into the game and became louder as time went on. Rohan Jarvie came away as the top performer with 22 points and 16 rebounds, needing to take the game on as their usual suspect Lewis Varley struggled to hit the scoreboard. Here’s what the coaches had to say after game 1.   

Shepparton Coach, Josh Waight had this to say:

It was a disappointing result for us last weekend, we felt like we were really good on the defensive end and to keep a side like Bellarine to 63 points was pleasing but unfortunately, we just couldn’t hit our shots when it mattered so credit to Bellarine for making everything tough for us on the offensive end. We will be putting some time into slowing down Rohan Jarvie who played really well last weekend shooting the ball really well and had a huge influence on the defensive end. But we know they have a variety of players that once they get going can be hard to stop so we will make sure we are paying attention to there shooters as well.  We are excited for the challenge that lays ahead of us if we want to win a championship and know trying to beat Bellarine twice is going to be a tough task but we are really looking forward to the challenge.

Bellarine Coach, Luke Beauglehall had this to say:

We were really happy with how we stuck to our plan, finals are a gritty game and both teams came with a defensive mindset and the final score shows that. Our defending and rebounding was outstanding, I thought down the stretch we managed to execute a little better and that got us across the line. I expect game 2 to be very similar, whoever settles quickest in front of a packed house in Shepparton will be the key.

Game 1 Leaders
Shepparton			Bellarine
Garrett Jefferson	20	Points	Rohan Jarvie	22
Sam Beks	13	Rebounds	Rohan Jarvie	16
Garrett Jefferson	5	Assists	Leigh Saffin	5
Thomas Frame	+7	Best +/-	Lewis Varley / Rohan Jarvie / Marko Vekic	+8

 

Division One Women

Warrnambool vs Sherbrooke

Game 2: Saturday 3^rd September 6:30pm at The Arc Sports Stadium

Game 3 (if needed): Sunday 4^th September 3:00pm at The Arc Sports Stadium  

It was a very close battle in game 1 of the Women’s final, Warrnambool getting up by 8 points. Neck to neck for almost the whole game, Sherbrooke did all they could to hold on yet couldn’t get comfortable. Warrnambool’s 3-2 zone seemed to have disrupted the Suns offence as they struggled to get on runs. Sherbrooke were able to connect from deep shooting 32% from the land of plenty yet struggled inside the arc due to Warrnambool size and length. Only a 1-point game at the half, it was the premiership quarter which gave Warrnambool their lead winning the quarter 20 to 11. Ariel Hearn had a great performance doing what she could for the Sun’s finishing with 23 points, 16 rebounds and 8 assists. Warrnambool finished with 4 players finish in double figures, snatching game 1 on the road. Here’s what the coaches had to say after game 1.    

Warrnambool Coach, Lee Primmer had this to say:

We were happy to get a win in game 1 against Sherbrooke Suns. The suns being the standout team all season. We went into the game with the aim to disrupt the Suns offence. Game 1 we were happy with our defence and our ball movement in offence. We will go over a few things to improve on this week at training and hopefully come out nice and strong again Sherbrooke for game 2 in front of our home crowd. 

Sherbrooke Coach, Chad Burton had this to say:

The first game of the series was a tough contest and a disappointing one for us as we just ran out of time and went down by 8 points. Warrnambool played a zone for the entire game which made it hard for us to find our rhythm offensively, we will make some changes during the week at training which will help us, and our shooters get better looks.

Our defence wasn’t where it needed to be as we allowed to many easy shots and gave up the lanes to the basket to easily so we will be making some adjustments in this area also. We are excited for the coming weekends games and will be looking for more of a team effort and I know our ladies will give it everything they have.

Game 1 Leaders
Warrnambool			Sherbrooke
Matilda Sewell	20	Points	Ariel Hearn	23
Amy Wormald	10	Rebounds	Ariel Hearn	16
Katie Okeefe	7	Assists	Ariel Hearn	8
Matilda Sewell	+14	Best +/-	Alicia Carline	+2

 

Division Two Men

Gippsland United vs Pakenham

Game 2: Saturday 3^rd September 7:00pm at Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Centre

Game 3 (if needed): Sunday 4^th September 1:00pm at Gippsland Regional Sports Centre

Game 1 proved to be a hard-fought battle for both United and Warriors. Both teams took a few minutes to settle into the game as nerves were high and the stakes even higher. In what was a low-scoring first half, United and Warriors found that their defensive pressure was going to have to generate offence more than usual. Going into the half at 30 points apiece, it was United who came out of the gates in the 3^rd and showed the league why they are the regular season champs.

Controlling the tempo of the game and playing on their terms, the Warriors battled yet couldn’t hold off the united barrage. Fighting back and winning the 4^th quarter, to Pakenham’s credit, there was still some fight in them. Game 2 will be just as if not more exciting to watch after this weekend performance. Brandon Armstrong game away as the game scoring leader with 21 points to take our performer of the game. Here’s what the coaches had to say from game 1.  

Gippsland Coach, Scott McKenzie had this to say:

Obviously, Game 1 of the Grand final series was a very pleasing result for our Gippsland United Men. Playing away, and in front of an away crowd was probably a little daunting but exciting at the same time. Going into the series with one win each we knew it was going to be tough with Pakenham having arguably the most experienced starting lineup in the league as well as the League MVP in Joe Davis.

I think both teams took a few minutes to shake off the nerves and intensity with many missed shots early. It was all defence in a low-scoring first half. We managed to settle well in the third quarter and get a small lead going into the last. We were then were able to build on that and finally have some control in the final few minutes. With nothing to lose we expect Pakenham to come out firing this weekend. They have incredible depth in their squad, and we have the utmost respect for the way they play. It's certainly great to have two neighbouring teams playing off in this Grand Final.

Pakenham Coach, Rob Roberts had this to say:

Last week was a great start to a series. The 2 best teams this season, both Country Vic teams showing Metro how games should be played. As we expected it was an extremely defensive game to start. Players from both sides played it like a grand final should be. Hard and fair. The 750-strong fans in the crowd were privy to an amazing contest.

Unfortunately, things changed in the 3^rd quarter and the control was taken away from our players which meant we lost a bit of focus, Gippsland took advantage and gained a pretty handy lead going into the last break with some great play by their leaders. They are a very impressive side. I was really happy with how my guys fought to win the last quarter and bring it back to 11 points. As the underdogs, on the road for game 2 is going to be a hard battle but we believe we have the power to win it and force game 3 on Sunday.”

Game 1 Leaders
Gippsland United			Pakenham
Brandon Armstrong	21	Points	Joe Davis	20
Stephen O’Brien	12	Rebounds	Joe Davis	11
Stephen O’Brien	5	Assists	Trent Lee / Joshua Dow / Ned Weideman	4
Ben Barlow	+18	Best +/-	Umair Naleer	+4

 

Division Two Women

Mornington vs Altona

Game 2: Saturday 3^rd September 6:30pm at Mornington Basketball Stadium

Game 3 (if needed): Sunday 4^th September 12:30pm at Mornington Basketball Stadium

It was everything you could have asked for in the first half for a grand final. With only a 7-point margin at the half it looked like either team were going to take the game out. Altona were there the whole time, competing and playing solid defence against Mornington’s veterans.

Unfortunately, in the second half, the Gators lost their feet and struggled to generate some consecutive stops and scores as the likes of Inez Lie, Sarah Parsons and Caragh Doria took the game over. Mornington were able to force turnovers and capitalize on the other end, punishing Altona’s mistakes almost every possession. In an 8-to-20-point 3^rd quarter, Mornington had too much of a lead for Altona’s late charge to make an impact. With the end score of 70 to 46, Altona will look to value the ball more in game 2 away from home and hope to snatch a win on Saturday night. Here’s what the coaches had to say.

Mornington Coach, Brett Spicer had this to say:

It was a pleasing game for us last Sunday, we went in with a game plan that we know suited our style and what we wanted to achieve, and we were happy with how we executed it. I was pleased with the output we received from the whole group, especially Inez and Caragh who both needed good games for their own pride after the last time we played Altona, hopefully everyone can produce the same this week.

We expect Altona to come out aggressively this Saturday as they are a team that plays with a lot of pride and match up very well against us across the floor. We will be putting more emphasis into trying to nullify their strengths which we hope will carry us in good stead for the next match-up. We are excited by the opportunity ahead of us and I expect our girls to be ready for the challenge this week and maybe create a little piece of history for Mornington Breakers!

Altona Coach, Cameron Wilkosz had this to say:

Sunday was an incredibly frustrating day for our Altona Gators D2W. We had a game on our hands up until halftime, and then Mornington’s senior recruits from other programs had their experience shine through. Every mistake we made we were made to pay the ultimate price. We turned the ball over way too much and almost every time Mornington made us pay, most of the time from beyond the arc.

This week we’ll focus on our ability to look after the ball and actually put the basketball in the hole. You don't win many games, let alone Grand Finals, shooting the ball at 23% from the floor while turning the ball over 20+ times. Unfortunately, twice in a row while playing the Breakers we’ve lost a starter and All-Star calibre player due to injury, so with just seven fit players this week we have our backs against the wall with nothing to lose on the road, and I can’t wait to see what these girls come out and prove to the league. Incredibly excited by the challenge and in no way deterred from the chance of winning this series. Saturday night can’t come quick enough.

Game 1 Leaders
Mornington			Altona
Inez Lie	20	Points	Sharna Appleby	18
Sarah Parsons	18	Rebounds	Jessica Rarity	17
Sarah Parsons	5	Assists	Jaylen-rose Hawea / Kendall Hawea	3
Sarah Parsons	+31	Best +/-	Reyhan Aziz	-2