After 9 rounds of exciting Country Basketball action, we are heading for finals…and with finals come awards. Yes, it is officially award season for our Gippsland and North West conferences.
One of those prestigious awards is the All-Star 5 team. The All-Star 5 is the five best players from each of the respective conferences. So, who is up for the award?
Below we’ve listed 10 finalists from each conference who are in contention to win the coveted award:
Gippsland Men
Austin Shelley - Moe
Returned to Moe this season after a few years off CBL. Averaged 30.4 pts per game this season and has taken Moe back to the Finals Series.
Vincent Monaghan - Korumburra
2021/2022 League MVP & Leading scorer has had another big year averaging 25.1 pts but couldn't get the wildcats into the finals series this year.
Christian D'Angelo - Traralgon
19 Y/O guard who carried his brilliant form from last season to this season. Averaged 23.3 pts in the 8 games he played.
Jordan Canovan - Morwell
A veteran of the league but couldn't get Morwell up the ladder this year into finals. Averaged 27.2 pts this season with his highest score of 44 coming in Round 2.
Kody Tibballs - Traralgon
18 Y/O big who has made his mark on the competition this year. The individual scoring stats are good but it's the one-percenters and defensive work that hurts the opposition.
Sam Whelan - Maffra
Another brilliant season leading the eagles in scoring averaging just under 20 pts shooting a whooping 39 3pts shots this season!
Jarryd Moss - Warragul
Another veteran of the competition who started the season a little slow but is performing at the pointy end. Looking to take the warriors to another championship.
Elliot Hunt - Maffra
Sat out last CBL season and has returned with a bang although only managed to play 5 games but has averaged 21.8 pts per game with a season-high 29 in Round 9.
Corey Hastings - Southern Peninsula
17 Y/O made his debut this season in the CBL competition. Only managed to play 6 games but averaged 21.1 pts per game hitting his season high in round 2 of 31 pts.
Frazer Brouns - Traralgon
A young veteran of the competition who has a couple of championships under his belt. Looking to add to that collection and bring home back-to-back championships for the T-Birds.
Gippsland Women
Samantha Labros - Traralgon
2021/2022 Defensive Player of the Year has only managed to play 6 games this season but that hasn't stopped her from being dominant averaging 32.8 pts with a season-high of 47.
Caitlin Demczuk - Moe
19 Y/O has had a stellar season leading the scoring for Moe and taking them to the top of the ladder leading into the finals series.
Chloe Hogg - Korumburra
The 2021/2022 League MVP has again proven she belongs at the top of our conference player list leading to scoring for Korumburra this season.
Tahni Hodgens - Moe
At just 17 Y/O Tahni has taken the competition by storm. Her scoring stats don't show the justice she has on the game as her defensive work hurts teams the most.
Danielle Davies - Moe
A veteran of the competition, who does the job her teams need her to do. Looking to take Moe back to the Championship game!
Sienna Wynd - Maffra
Made the move across to Maffra in the off-season and has continued her stellar scoring efforts, averaging just over 20 pts.
Bec Orwin - Warragul
19 Y/O that returned to the CBL competition this season that averaged 20.8 pts but couldn't get the warriors back to the finals series.
Grace McRae - Wonthaggi
2021/2022 Leading scorer and continued scoring she has done. Averaged 19 points in the 6 games she played but couldn't get Wonthaggi back into the finals to defend their title.
Paige Biddle - Maffra
Returned to CBL this season after sitting out in 2021/2022. Played 7 games shooting an average of 15.85 pts
Abbey Sproule - Lakes Entrance
Leading scorer for Lakes Entrance at an average of 18.8 pts but could only manage to play 5 games this season. Respected by her fellow competitors.
North West Men
Billy Smythe - Castlemaine
Has had a stellar year averaging 22.1 pts a game with a season-high of 30 in Round 6. Will be a key member of the championship run for the cannons.
Blake Allison - Melton
Debut season in the CBL this year and is the leading scorer for Melton with 140 pts. With an undefeated season so far, a championship is within reach.
Trent Leech - Castlemaine
Made the move to Castlemaine this season and is the Second Leading scorer for the cannons. Scored a season-high of 26 pts in Round 7.
Lachlan O'Brien - Bendigo
19 Y/O has managed to sneak the braves into the finals. Averaging 21.1 pts per game, will play a key role heading to the Championship game.
Brady Neill - Maryborough
A veteran in the league this season, who continued his good form from last season but just couldn't get the blazers over the line and into the finals series this season.
Staci Richardson - Echuca
Stepped into a Player Coach role at Echuca this season, but that didn't stop the big man skills from shining. Leading scorer for Echuca's interrupted season.
Zac Martinez - Bacchus Marsh
20 Y/O who has led the scoring for the Lions this season. Finished the season in style with a season-high of 32 pts.
Matthew Gardner - Swan Hill
19 Y/O who has been solid for the flyers this year managing double digits every game to average 17.8 pts for the season.
Bol Bak - Melton
Led the scoring for the thoroughbreds this season who had multiple scoring options. Will play a huge role in the Championship adventure.
Joshua O'Connell - Macedon Ranges
Debut Season for the Rockies but could only manage to play 6 games. Season-high of 31 pts in Round 6.
North West Women
Jessica Kivimets - Melton
Debut CBL Season and lead the scoring for Melton with 114 pts for the season but couldn't get thoroughbreds into the finals series.
Sharna Appleby - Bendigo
The 2021/2022 League MVP & Leading scorer made the move to Bendigo this season. Lead the scoring for Bendigo this season averaging 17.5 pts.
Jordan Wilson - Bacchus Marsh
19 Y/O played a massive role in the Bacchus Marsh team this year. Shot a season-high 24 in round 8 against cross-town rivals.
Trinity Steele - Melton
Made the move to Melton this year and was 3rd on the list of leading scorers for the Thoroughbreds. Shot a season-high 23 in Round 4.
Caitlin Richardson - Bendigo
Continuing her stellar form from last CBL Season has made heavy contributions to the braves at the pointy end of the season. Will the season finish with a championship?
Claire Blower - Maryborough
A veteran of the North West conference, hit double figures every game at an average of 21.2pts to take the Lady Blazers into the finals series to continue the title defence.
Michelle Fletcher - Kyneton
A Veteran of the league continued her dominant performances for the Lady Tigers shooting 103 pts for the season with a 7-1 win record.
Olivia Ogston - Macedon Ranges
18 Y/O who moved to Macedon Ranges this season and led the scoring for the Rockies this season with 74pts in the 6 games she played.
Georgie Eishold - Echuca
The second season in a player-coach role for the pirates this year it wasn't the year to be for Echuca with an interrupted season. Georgie averaged 10.6 pts for the season.
Alannah Morello - Mildura
At just 18 has taken the Heat to the finals series after an interrupted start. Second leading scorer for Mildura with a season-high 21pts to finish off the regular season.
Congrats to all our finalists. Don’t forget we have more awards to give out during the Grand Final week stay tuned!
