U14 Boys Club Champs recap- Day 4

Written by volunteers at Basketball WA.

Game #53 SHIELD DIVISION – NW Tasmania Thunder (55) defeated by Tamworth Thunderbolts (70)

Tamworth’s obvious height advantage eventually wore down the Thunder despite North West Tasmania’s strict defence keeping the match tied at half-time. Taran Armstrong had a game-high 34 points but it wasn’t enough as foul trouble eventually forced him to the bench and Nathan Clark (27 points) secured the win for the Thunderbolts.

Game #54 SHIELD DIVISION – NT South Suns (38) defeated by North Tasmania Foresters (62)

Jack Wane helped the Suns to a lead at quarter-time but a strong second half, led by Thomas McShane’s 17 points, helped the Foresters run away with the victory.

Game #55 SHIELD DIVISION – Willetton Tigers (95) defeated Darwin Cyclones (20)

Increasing their lead at every change, the Tigers took care of the Cyclones thanks to Blake Nielson (19 points), Tyler Kohr (14 points) and Roosevelt Williams (14 points) who shared the scoring load.

Game #56 SHIELD DIVISION – Canberra Gunners (63) defeated Sunshine Coast Rip (61)

The Rip started fast, scoring the first nine points of the contest and taking full advantage of second chance opportunities. Harrison Mathew of the Gunners kept his side in the contest early but Riley Curtis (44 points) maintained Sunshine Coast’s lead at half-time.  That advantage got out to as much as 14 but Canberra were relentless in the final term, taking their first lead with 1:42 remaining. 25 points from Matthew helped the Gunners secure the closely-fought victory.

Game #55 CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION – Bendigo Braves (50) defeated by Casey Cavaliers (69)

After trailing by 12 at quarter-time, the Braves opened the second period on a 12-2 run thanks to Dyson Daniel (18 points). However, led by Gericho Kalvin, the Cavaliers remained stoic to take out the win.

Game #56 CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION – Central District Lions (49) defeated Gosford City Rebels (31)

A slow start from both teams did not last long as the intensity picked up in a thrilling second half. Central District held a lead for most of the match but the Rebels never gave in, threatening a comeback in the final term before the Lions pulled away for a solid victory.

Game #57 CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION – Sturt Sabres (75) defeated Norths Bears (43)

A couple of costly turnovers from Norths meant they trailed by 12 at the end of the first quarter and that pressure remained for the rest of the clash. Thomas Saywell led the Bears with 15 points but strong outside shooting from Joel Dyer and William Wilkinson blew the match open.

Game #58 CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION – Sydney Comets (70) defeated Perry Lakes Hawks (50)

Sydney opened up a commanding lead that they never surrendered thanks to Jordan Roman and Biwali Bayles who combined for 33 points to counter a valiant Hawks side that was led by 12 points from Blake Costello.

Game #59 SHIELD DIVISION – North Adelaide Rockets (76) defeated North Tasmania Foresters (62)

An energetic Northern Tasmania had the ascendancy early and led by nine at quarter-time but North Adelaide responded to take a two-point advantage into the main break. The game continued to see-saw in the second half but a strong push in the final term carried the Rockets over line as Fisto Ipassou (20 points) and Nathan Pascale (18) answered Jackson Lowe’s game-high 22.

Game #60 SHIELD DIVISION – Tamworth Thunderbolts (49) defeated Cockburn Cougars (45)

The Cougars looked to be in complete control with a 22-6 quarter-time lead but the Thunderbolts remained calm and regrouped to get back into the match before Nathan Clark (28 points) turned on the afterburners in the second half to win the game for Tamworth.

Game #61 SHIELD DIVISION – Canberra Gunners (72) defeated North West Tasmania Thunder (40)

The Thunder’s impressive mid-range shooting kept them close at half-time but Canberra’s dominance in the paint eventually wore them down as a 12-1 run to start the fourth quarter sealed the deal. Blake Jones had 28 points for the victors while Taran Armstrong again starred with 27.

Game #62 CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION – Keilor Thunder (70) defeated Casey Cavaliers (51)

A very disciplined defensive performance by Keilor saw them hold Casey to just 18 points in the first half and set up the win to advance deeper into the Championship Division and move one step closer to the ultimate glory.

Game #63 CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION – Sturt Sabres (56) defeated Central District Lions (37)

Sturt held a lead through most of the clash but it was not until an unsportsmanlike foul called on the Lions, which sparked a late 19-7 run for the Sabres, blew the match open.

Game #64 SHIELD DIVISION – Southern District Spartans (47) defeated by Willetton Tigers (54)

Willetton scored seven of the first eight points and although the Spartans responded with some athletic drives to the basket, they were unable to convert from the free-throw line to truly mount a comeback. A 12-0 run in the final term, sparked by 14 points from Patrick Foster, gave the Tigers a scare but they ran out winners thanks to 19 points from Roosevelt Williams.

Game #65 CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION – Melbourne Tigers (61) defeated Sydney Comets (36)

Leading from start to finish, it was a classy performance from the Tigers which saw them notch another victory. Paul Tsapotolis dominated the paint while Biwali Bayless was the best for the Comets.

Game #66 CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION – Bulleen Boomers (47) defeated by Cairns Marlins (73)

Following a tight first term, Cairns stamped their authority on the game with an 11-1 run in the second quarter. Their multiple scoring options proved too much as Tamuri Wigness (18 points) led four Marlins players in double-figures.

Click here for all the results and fixtures of the Championships