A LARGE crowd was in attendance on Saturday night to watch the culmination of the 2007/08 Esperance Basketball Association season, with United taking out their seventeenth straight premiership in the men’s A grade and Newtown prevailing in the women’s A grade.
The association was fortunate this year to have two talent development teams in the grand finals.
The A reserves girls team, coached my Mechelle McArthur, have performed very well this season and have some very talented girls playing.
They would certainly hold their own in our A grade competition next season.
The A grade men’s team coached by Graham Mackenzie had a mixed season with players away for long periods of time and a couple dropping out.
The team was fortunate to gain the services of Connor Dyzel and Dillon Thomas who were real assets.
It certainly proves that the talent development plan is working and all the coaches are to be congratulated for their successes this season in both the senior and junior grades.
The coaches were Graham Mackenzie, David Mackenzie, Tristan Mackenzie, Terry Dunn, Mick Harris, Mechelle McArthur.
South East Petroleum medals presented to the most valuable players in the A grade competition this year were won by Roger Parsons for the men’s and Terena Burnett and Brodie Bratten in a tie for the women.
The Ian Hennessy Memorial Award for the highest scorer in the men’s A competition was won by Ryan Neil, while the David Gaunt Memorial Award for the highest scorer in the women’s A competition was won by Terena Burnett.
Results for grand finals:
A-grade men: United d TDS 54-39.
United were off to a great start and although the TDS lads were not intimidated by playing before a large crowd they found it hard to score in the first half. Marcus Ball was the main scorer for TDS while Tristan Mackenzie and Ryan Neil for United dominated at both ends of the court with United leading by 10 points at the half.
The second half was much the same as the first with Roger Parsons shining for United while Tristan Mackenzie continued to win all the rebounds.
Sean Green’s two three pointers narrowed the gap but Mackenzie brothers David and Tristan both found their three point range and United went on to win their seventeenth consecutive grand final by 15pts.
Highest scores — Tristan Mackenzie 17pts, Roger Parsons 13pts, Marcus Ball 13pts, Dillon Thomas 10pts. MVP in grand final — Tristan Mackenzie.
A-grade women: Newtown d United 21-10.
In a very low scoring first half Newtown, through Jess Partington, were able to really pressure United into making mistakes and turning over the ball.
Late in the half Becky Harris and Terena Burnett were finally able to put United on the board andthey entered the half time break training by four points.
The second half turned into a defensive struggle but Newtown, with victory in their sight, kept United to four points for the half and went on to win by 11pts.
Highest scores — Jess Partington 8pts, Nikki Kirkup 5pts, Terena Burnett 4pts, Becky Harris 2pts. MVP in grand final — Cassie Capelli.
A-reserve women: United d TDS 31-19.
The TDS girls seemed rather overawed by the occasion in the first half which enabled United to draw away from them.
Deb McCrea and Wendy Hansen rebounded strongly for United and when not scoring themselves were able to get the pass off to a team mate.
Laura McGuinness for TDS desperately tried to get her team into the game with some strong play but United went to the half time break 10 points up.
TDS found some confidence in the second half and took it up to United but were always playing catch-up with United going on to win by 12pts.
Highest scores — Wendy Hansen 12pts, Deb McCrea 9pts, Bronwyn Carey 8pts, Laura McGuinness 5pts. MVP in grand final — Deb McCrea.
A-reserve men: Bulls d Demons 46-42.
This was a fast and furious tussle between two arch-rivals, with tempers fraying at various points throughout the game.
Nigel Johnson was on fire for the Bulls and seemingly couldn’t be stopped.
With scores very close for the entire game it came down to free throws to decide the game, with Bulls prevailing by four points. Highest score — Nigel Johnson 23pts, Shane Kirkup 7pts, Todd Smith 16pts, Chris Vermey 14pts. MVP in grand final — Nigel Johnson.
B-grade women: Pure Blondes d Raiders 19-14.
With Raiders missing their main scorer in Kate Ainsworth, at one stage in the first half it looked as if it would be a nil all at the break as both teams were having trouble at finding the basket.
Jodie Witney played a great game in defense for Raiders as they drew closer to Pure Blondes but Gillian Tomlinson sunk all their hopes with a big three pointer and Pure Blondes went on to win by five points.
Highest scores — Gill Tomlinson 7pts, R Bruhn 4pts, Kylie Green 6pts, Jodie Witney 5pts. MVP in grand final — K Jackaman.