It’s finals time!!!
The Semi-Finals are set to tip off this weekend in the Gippsland and North West conferences in the Country Basketball League (CBL).
Eight semi-finals will take place this weekend with some exciting matchups set to hit the court.
Below are previews of each semi-final, including the results from the last time these teams met, and which players to watch out for:
Gippsland Men
Semi-Final 1 - Traralgon T-Birds vs Warragul Warriors
Saturday 3 December 8:00pm at Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium – Traralgon
Traralgon finished the season in first place; however, they face the difficult task of a fourth-placed Warragul. Traralgon is heading into finals with nine wins and just the one loss, with Christian D’Angelo, Kody Tibballs and Frazar Brouns leading the way, averaging 23.4, 19.4 and 16.6 points per game respectively. Jarryd Moss and Jayden McMillin starred for Warragul scoring 19.8 and 13.4 points per game, helping the Warriors to end the season with seven wins and three losses.
The last time they met, Traralgon suffered their only defeat of the season to the Warriors. The round seven matchups saw a dominant 30-16 last quarter, to propel Warragul to an 85-80 victory on their home floor. Marko Kulas’ 21 points and Riley Morehu’s 18 points proved pivotal in the win and the Warriors will need similar performances to have a chance at knocking off Traralgon again. The T-Birds have displayed their skill as reigning premiers and it will take a spectacular showing to defeat them. As shown in round seven, however, if any team can do it, it's Warragul.
Semi-Final 2 - Maffra Eagles vs Moe Meteors
Sunday 4 December 1:00pm at Cameron Sporting Complex
Maffra will host Moe due to finishing the season in second place, with nine wins and one loss. The Eagles performed well throughout the season on the back of 19.9 points per game from Samuel Whelan and 14.8 points per game from Andrew Quirk. They will prove to be a tough opponent in the finals after only losing to the top of the ladder Traralgon. Moe finished in third with seven wins and three losses. The Meteors feature star player Austin Shelley who led the conference in scoring at 30.4 points per game.
Moe will be disappointed with their efforts in their last matchup against Maffra. The Meteors were conquered on their home floor in round eight, losing 66-91. A superb performance of 29 points from Elliot Hunt and 28 points from Samuel Whelan helped drive the Eagles towards the win, with Moe unable to win a single quarter. Maffra will head into this semi-final as the better team but Moe could prove dangerous, especially with the conference’s leading scorer suiting up.
Gippsland Women
Semi-Final 1 - Moe Meteors vs Maffra Eagles
Saturday 3 December 5:00pm at Latrobe Leisure Moe Newborough
It’s a reverse matchup to the Men with top-of-the-table Moe hosting Maffra. The Meteors completed the season with nine wins and a single loss to Traralgon. They are a deep team that spreads around their scoring with Piper Albert at 14.4 points per game and Caitlin Demczuk at 14.1 points per game setting the example. Maffra finished in fourth with six wins and four losses and is led by young star Sienna Wynd at 20.7 points per game. Paige Biddle and Emerson Connolly also contribute strongly for the Eagles with 15.4 and 13.3 points per game respectively.
Moe got the better of Maffra at home in round eight, outscoring the Eagles in every quarter towards a 91-40 victory. Piper Albert poured in 24 points for the Meteors while only eight players stepped onto the court for Maffra. This time around, Maffra will look to create more of a challenge for Moe with a full line-up however, Moe’s strength in numbers may prove too decisive.
Semi-Final 2 - Korumburra Wildcats vs Traralgon T-Birds
Saturday 3 December 6:00pm at Korumburra Recreation Centre
Second-placed Korumburra is set to host Traralgon in their pursuit of a grand final appearance. The Wildcats won nine games throughout the season with one loss to Moe in round seven. Chloe Hogg has led from the front for Korumburra scoring 16.4 points per game with support from Chelsea Fox and Krystal Arnason. The third-placed T-Birds ended the season with eight wins and two losses and feature star guard Samantha Labros who led the conference in scoring at 32.8 points per game. Emily Scholtes and Joanna Watson have also bolstered Traralgon’s line up putting up 13.3 and 11 points per game.
Korumburra left Traralgon as victors in round six, triumphing 68-51. The Wildcats outscored the T-Birds 36-23 in the first half of the win led by 16 points from Chelsea Fox and 14 points from Chloe Hogg. Due to finishing higher on the ladder, Korumburra will start the game as favourites yet Traralgon will be tough to defeat as they have a tradition of winning in the CBL. The T-Birds gave Moe their only loss and are proven giant killers which will certainly make for a good game on Saturday night.
North West Men
Semi-Final 1 - Melton Thoroughbreds vs Bendigo Braves
Saturday 3 December 7:00pm at Cobblebank Stadium
Top of the ladder Melton finished the season with nine wins and no losses and is set to welcome fourth-placed Bendigo. The Thoroughbreds have a well-balanced roster featuring Blake Allison, Bol Bak and Koby Skenderis who poured in 15.6, 15.3 and 12.9 points per game respectively. The Braves completed the season with five wins and three losses and are led by one of the conference's top scorers in Lachlan O’Brien at 21.1 points per game.
Bendigo and Melton last met in round six with the Thoroughbreds defending their home court towards an 84-66 victory. Melton won all four quarters thanks to 22 points from Bol Bak and 18 points from Koby Skenderis. Bendigo will need to get their leading scorer hot to become a tricky opponent for a very good team in Melton.
Semi-Final 2 - Mildura Heat vs Castlemaine Cannons
Saturday 3 December 7:00pm at AusLoans Mildura Hothouse
Second-placed Mildura is set to face the challenging task of third-placed Castlemaine at home. The Heat ended the season with six wins and two losses thanks to Tyrran Shaddock’s 18.8 points per game, Trequan Rudd-Morfaw’s 13.9 points per game and Dru Pilmore’s 13.1 points per game. Castlemaine also finished with six wins but lost three games during the season. The high-scoring Cannons are piloted by Billy Smythe who scored 22.1 points per game, Josiah Pattinson who poured in 17.7 points per game and Trent Leech who scored 16.8 points per game.
The teams last met in round five with Castlemaine dominating at home in the second half to win comfortably 91-66 against Mildura. Scores were tied at 28 a piece at halftime before the Cannons piled on the scoring with Billy Smythe, Josiah Pattinson and Trent Leech putting up 26, 22 and 17 points respectively. If this prior meeting is anything to go by, this semi-final could prove to be the pick of the bunch. Will Mildura play up to their ladder position or will Castlemaine again show their dominance against the Heat? We will find out on Saturday night.
North West Women
Semi-Final 1 - Kyneton Lady Tigers vs Mildura Heat
Saturday 3 December 3:00pm at Kyneton Sports and Aquatic Centre
Kyneton will host Mildura in a battle between second and third place. The Lady Tigers finished the season with seven wins and a single loss due in part to the play of Alexandra Strawhorn, Michelle Fletcher and Jessica Mangan who scored 15.3, 12.9 and 12.3 points per game each. The Heat found themselves with six wins and one loss at the end of the season with Courtney Sandiman at 18.7 points per game and Alannah Morello at 13.6 guiding their attack.
The two teams met in their first game of the season, clashing in Mildura with Kyneton returning home with the 90-67 victory. The Lady Tigers currently hold the advantage against the Heat, however, Mildura is one of the highest-scoring teams in the conference and could prove a tricky team to defeat.
Semi-Final 2 - Bendigo Braves vs Maryborough Lady Blazers
Sunday 4 December 2:00pm at Maryborough Sports Leisure Centre
Top of the table Bendigo will host fourth-placed Maryborough after finishing the season unbeaten with seven wins. The Braves are led by Sharna Appleby who scored 17.6 points per game alongside Caitlin Richardson who netted 12.3 points per game. The Lady Blazers ended the season with four wins and three losses and are bolstered by conference-leading scorer Claire Blower’s 21.3 points per game and fourth-leading scorer Maddison Egan’s 18.4 points per game.
The last time they met, Bendigo was 90-68 victors on their home floor in a round eight battle against Maryborough. The Braves started the game strong, taking a 25-15 lead in the first quarter and never looked back. Sharna Appleby starred for Bendigo, scoring 32 with Poppy Blanch also contributing 20 points. If Maryborough’s scorers get going, they could cause some real problems for Bendigo and potentially steal a victory away from home.
We can’t wait for this weekend to tip-off. Next week we are excited to announce our two Grand Final venues – Traralgon and Bendigo will host the Gippsland and North West Grand Finals. So, it begs the question, which teams are going to be at the big dance? We will find out this weekend.
