U14 Boys Club Champs recap- Day 5

Game #69 CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION – Bulleen Boomers (65) defeated Casey Cavaliers (56)

A very tight contest was finally taken over by Bulleen late in the game as they ran out victors thanks to 26 points for Lachlan Godden. Luka Dokanovic impressed for Casey with 11 points.

Game #70 CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION – Central District Lions (48) defeated Sydney Comets (42)

An 11-0 run to start the game looked to set up the win for Central Districts but Sydney gained their composure to get back in the contest. The match was tied at 40-40 in the final term but a run similar to the opening minutes saw the Lions get over the line.

Game #71 SHIELD DIVISION – Canberra Gunners (60) defeated North Adelaide Rockets (53)

Canberra grabbed a quarter-time lead thanks to their defensive press but some strong transition play from the Rockets tied the match by the main break. They threatened to take the contest in the second half but the Gunners’ impressive execution down the stretch proved crucial.

Game #72 CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION – Bendigo Braves (66) defeated Norths Bears (64)

Neither team was able to get any breathing space throughout the whole match and this proved true as the game went into overtime. Ethan Yetman led four Norths players in double-figures but it was a Dyson Daniels lay-up in traffic with four seconds left that gave Bendigo the thrilling win.

Game #73 CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION – Perry Lakes Hawks (77) defeated Gosford City Rebels (32)

In front of their home crowd, Perry Lakes led from start to finish as they outscored Gosford in every quarter. Nathan Thomas and Blake Costello each scored 23 points for the Hawks whilst Nathanael Mclean led the Rebels with 13.

Game #74 SHIELD DIVISION – Tamworth Thunder (46) defeated by Willetton Tigers (62)

The first quarter saw the Thunderbolts in control of the contest due to some nice post play but the Tigers remained calm and then made their charge in the second half, knocking down jumpers from all over the court before eventually overcoming an undermanned Tamworth side.

Game #75 SHIELD DIVISION – North Tasmania Foresters (56) defeated by North West Tasmania Thunder (60)

Taran Armstrong (30 points) was again a standout for the Thunder who just managed to hold off the Foresters despite 21 points from Jackson Lowe and 16 from Josh Hutchinson in an entertaining and thrilling match.

Game #76 SHIELD DIVISION – Southern District Spartans (67) defeated Cockburn Cougars (56)

Southern Districts led the game from the opening tip and never surrendered the advantage and although Cockburn were always within reach, turnovers proved costly. Sharp perimeter shooting from Patrick Foster was a highlight.

Game #77 CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION – Keilor Thunder (51) defeated Cairns Marlins (45)

This highly anticipated semi-final did not disappoint between two of the top teams at this years Championships. Keilor earned a slight buffer by the main break, leading by six but Cairns applied the pressure in the third on the back of some excellent efforts by Tamuri Wigness. The match went right down to the wire and was tied with just a few minutes left but a consummate team performance from Keilor carried them over the line.

Game #78 SHIELD DIVISION – Joondalup Wolves (46) defeated by NT South Suns (51)

The prolific play of Jack Ward in the key help the Suns to an early lead but Joondalup were never out of it, closing within reach late in the match. Howeer, 42 combined points from Ward and Kane Raddock saw NT South grab the win.

Game #79 SHIELD DIVISION – Sunshine Coast Rip (76) defeated Darwin Cyclones (40)

Zeb Hantelmann (14 points) played well for the Cyclones but could not overcome Riley Curtis (12 points) and Kobi Woolford (20 points) as Sunshine Coast pulled away the longer the game went on.

Game #80 CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION – Melbourne Tigers (55) defeated by Sturt Sabres (57)

In a game for the ages in front of the loudest crowd of the tournament, Melbourne jumped out to a nine-point lead in the first half thanks to some strong play around the court from Paul Tsapatolis and Justin Bond. The Tigers extended their lead multiple times in the second half but Sturt were always able to answer back and keep the contest close, with Sebastian Griffin scoring eight of the Sabres’ 11 third-quarter points. They then grabbed a lead for the first time since the first quarter late in the game before the Tigers missed an opportunity on the buzzer to send it into overtime. On the last play of the extra period, the Sabres booked their spot in the gold medal playoff thanks to a buzzer-beating three-pointer from Taine Mitchell.