SEABL Previews

SEABL MEN PREVIEWS

CONFERENCE GRAND FINALS

SOUTH MEN FINAL
FRANKSTON vs GEELONG
Saturday 22nd August – 7:30pm @ Frankston Basketball Stadium
Geelong has fought their way through to their fourth conference final in five years after a terrific 107-78 victory onthe road last week against Hobart. Geelong had six players score double digits with Import Ismail Muhammad dominating with 30pts@63%. Frankston are determined to secure their first Conference title since 2000 after a disappointing loss last year. Harms, Gruber and Kampman have guided the Blues to an impressive 23-4 regular season record including two
easy victories over Geelong. League MVP contender Andrew Harms has dominated the Supercats in both games this year averaging 32.5pts, 7.5rebs and 7.5ass including a Player of the Week performance in the rd11 victory with a Triple Double (34pts, 11rebs, 11ass).
Supercats enter this game on the back of a five game winning streak and are playing great basketball at the most important time of the year. Jason Reardon has been the Supercats consistent performer against Frankston this year averaging 22.5pts, 13rebs and 6ass. Geelong Imports Lee and Muhammad did not dominate in the games against Frankston this year but have showed in recent weeks that they love playoff basketball and keen to produce an impressive performance this week and secure the conference title.

2009 Head to Head

Round 3 Frankston def Geelong 116-94 (@ Geelong)
Round 11 Frankston def Geelong 128-115 (@ Frankston)

EAST MEN FINAL
BRISBANE vs KNOX
Saturday 22nd August – 8:00pm @ Carina Basketball Stadium
The Brisbane Spartans men take on rivals Knox Raiders at Carina for a fourth time this season. Over the years a fierce but healthy rivalry has begun and the stage is set for an East Conference Grand Final extravaganza. In round 10 the Spartans demolished the Raiders by 19 points, however two weeks later in front of 2000 spectators the Raiders snapped the Spartans 16 game-winning streak by 5 points in overtime. Two weeks ago, in the first semi final, both teams faced off again in front of a packed Carina Stadium where the Spartans prevailed by just 3 points. The atmosphere was electric and the black army, as the Spartans supporters are known as, were back in fine force. In all three games so far this season both teams have had a different player step up and provide their respective teams with respectable numbers. Brisbane center Greg Vanderjagt has averaged 23pts, 12rebs and 3ass against the Raiders this season and Knox coach will be keen for a solid defensive assignment from Lester Strong. Lester was impressive in the semi final game, but needs to make sure he stays out of foul trouble because he is worth more to the team on the court than sitting on the sidelines. Conference Leading Scorer CJ Massingale has averaged 27.6pts against the Spartans this season and after a disappointing performance in the semi final will be keen for a better offensive display this week. Massingale and Carroll will secure their third conference title in four years with the Raiders should they win this weekend.

2009 Head to Head

Round 10 Brisbane def Knox 121-112 (@ Brisbane)
Round 12 Brisbane Lost to Knox 103-107 O/T (@ Knox)
Semi Final Brisbane def Knox 113-110 (@ Brisbane)

SEABL WOMEN

PRELIMINARY FINAL PREVIEW

BRISBANE vs BENDIGO
Saturday 22nd August – 6:00pm @ Carina Basketball Stadium
The Carina Leagues Club Lady Spartans lost last week to Knox in Knox and now must win this week to earn the right to play in next week’s Grand final. Brisbane will be confident of securing the victory having defeated Bendigo twice already this season. Emma Randall has dominated in both games recording 21pts 9rebs in rd8 and 16pts 12rebs in rd 19. Her presence in the paint has been a major factor in both games and Lady Braves coach Jeremi Moule will need a solid defensive effort from Jasmine Finnigan. Bendigo guard and league MVP contender Kelly Wilson has also stamped her authority in both games averaging 20pts and is in fine form and keen to produce another solid offensive performance. Brisbane coach Donna Rinaldi may decide to let Wilson score her season average 22.75pts, but concentrate on shutting down Lady Braves other
offensive threats Finnigan and King. Bendigo has relied heavily on the threesome all year and need all three to produce double digits in scoring for Bendigo to clinch the victory.
Kate Willey and Shona O’Bree have had outstanding seasons this year, and play a pivotal role at both ends of the floor. Both Willey and O’Bree will share the defensive job on Wilson throughout the game and both are exceptional defenders and capable of shutting her down. Both players will also need to produce at the offensive end as the team can not rely on Randall to score all the points. This game will also be the last Brisbane gets to see of Australian Opal, Emma Randall, as she departs to New Zealand where she will compete for the Opals prior to returning to Europe to take up a contract. Should the Lady Spartans win they will need to play the Grand Final next week without their team MVP.

2009 Head to Head

Round 8 Brisbane def Bendigo 82-72 (@ Bendigo)
Round 19 Brisbane def Bendigo 77-62 (@ Brisbane)

SEABL Results

From Victoria way, the SEABL Results from last weekend:

SEABL MEN SEMI FINAL RESULTS

EAST MEN SEMI FINAL 1
KILSYTH (53) 100
(Werner 23pts 25rebs, Shanahan 20pts 6ass, Lang 14pts)
def
BENDIGO (32) 79
(Tanner 20pts 9rebs, Davis 14pts 7rebs, Randall 13pts)
MVP – Joe Werner (Kilsyth)

EAST MEN SEMI FINAL 2
BRISBANE (53) 113
(Vanderjagt 24pts 10rebs, Goulding 18pts, Demos 18pts)
def
KNOX (58) 110
(Hill 28pts 7ass, Rigby 21pts 5rebs, Strong 20pts 18rebs)
MVP – Tyson Demos (Brisbane)

SOUTH MEN SEMI FINAL 1
GEELONG (55) 101
(Lee 25pts 10rebs 5ass, Muhammad 18pts 11rebs, Cox 15pts)
def
SANDRINGHAM (53) 90
(Conn 23pts 13rebs, Dillon 19pts 10rebs, Crosswell 18pts 6rebs 4ass)
MVP – Clifton Lee (Geelong)

SOUTH MEN SEMI FINAL 2
FRANKSTON (36) 76
(Harms 24pts 9rebs, Gruber 18pts 12rebs, Kampman 15pts 6rebs)
def
HOBART (41) 72
(Banovic 31pts, Stewart 19pts 5rebs 4ass, Long 9pts 12rebs 5ass)
MVP – Andrew Harms (Frankston)

SEABL WOMEN SEMI FINAL RESULTS

SEMI FINAL 1
BENDIGO (43) 79
(Wilson 33pts 6rebs 6ass, Chalmers 15pts 8rebs, Finnigan 13pts 8rebs)
def
DANDENONG (34) 71
(Penaluna 17pts 4rebs, Todhunter 14pts 5rebs, 3ass)
MVP – Kelly Wilson (Bendigo)

SEMI FINAL 2
KNOX (32) 74
(Keane 24pts 10rebs 2ass, Graham 20pts 5rebs, Dunlap 16pts 15rebs 2ass)
def
BRISBANE (35) 56
(Randall 16pts 8rebs, C Smith 13pts 5rebs, H Smith 11pts)
MVP – Lill Keane (Knox)

SEABL CHAMPIONSHIP

SOUTH MEN (Conference Final)

Game 4:
Saturday 22 August –Frankston Blues vs Geelong Supercats
@ Frankston Basketball Stadium
Local tip-off: 7:30pm

EAST MEN (Conference Final)

Game 4:
Saturday 22 August – Brisbane Spartans vs Knox Raiders
@ Carina Basketball Stadium
Local tip-off: 8:00pm

Winner of both games will progress to the SEABL Championship game on Saturday 29^th August at Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre at 8:00pm

WOMEN (Preliminary Final)

Game 5:
Saturday 22 August – Brisbane Lady Spartans vs Bendigo Lady Braves
@ Carina Basketball Stadium
Local tip-off: 6:00pm

Winner of this game will progress to the SEABL Championship game versus Knox Raiders on Saturday 29^th August at Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre at 6:00pm

Ballin Round Australia, the Catch-Up!!!

Ball fans here are some of the recent goings on in the Ballaverse as I've seen over the last week or so. Firstly various reports from league playoffs around the country, a bit of Boomers info and mare. Happy reading.

The Central Australia Basketball League update courtesy of :
http://news-review-messenger.whereilive.com.au

Basketball: Matthews lifts Flames

18 Aug 09 @ 09:36am by Dale Clarke

Todd Matthews played a crucial role for Norwood in the fourth quarter on Saturday. Picture: Luke Hemer

A TODD Matthews-inspired Norwood outfit is now one win away from the Grand Final after beating Forestville 92-81 in the qualifying final at Mars on Saturday night.

In a highly physical rematch of last year’s Grand Finalists, Norwood’s defence was too strong for Forestville in the second half, turning a nine-point half-time deficit into a four-point three quarter-time lead and holding the lead for the rest of the game.

While most of the last quarter was an arm wrestle, it was a two-minute purple patch from Matthews that tilted the game in Norwood’s favour.

Matthews was able to drive through the Eagles defence several times in the last quarter to either score, or drop the ball into the laps of Dan Thompson or David Cooper to finish off.

Andrew Webber top-scored with 23 points, and hit the last of his six three-pointers to kill the Eagles - the Flames taking a seven point lead inside the last two minutes.

Webber also had eight assists, Matthews had 18 points and seven assists, and Cooper had 13 points and 14 rebounds.

For Forestville, Peter Hoban seemed its best option all night with 23 points and 20 rebounds, and Brad Gerlach had 17 points, with 14 in the first half.

The Flames will now meet Sturt at Pasadena, with the winner going express to the Grand Final.

Forestville will host West at Wayville in an elimination semi-final.

Women: North v South, elimination final

NORTH Adelaide’s women have lived to fight another day after knocking off South Adelaide 74-55 in the elimination final at Hillcrest on Saturday night.

Led by Olympian Jo Hill, who scored 21 points with 15 rebounds and six assists in a match-winning effort, the Rockets iced the game in the fourth quarter after leading by three at three-quarter time.

``The first few minutes of the game was scrappy and South got a jump on us,’’ North coach Mike McKay said.

``To our credit we were able to knuckle down and get back into the game.’’

Lauren Mansfield had 13 points with seven rebounds and Bec Lock chipped in with 13, while Tania Dhu was crucial with her eight points, six rebounds and four steals.

For South, Kerrin Truslove only scored seven points but still managed 17 rebounds, Cassandra Carpenter had 16 points and 10 rebounds, and Sarah Peddle and Claire Johnson each added 11.

``Tania Dhu and Jamie-Lee Peris did a great job on Kerrin Truslove to keep her to seven points,’’ McKay said.

Women: Forestville v Sturt (qualifying final)

STURT is one win away from the Grand Final in the men’s and women’s competitions, after the Sabres women beat Forestville 72-62 in the qualifying final on Saturday night.

Sturt will now meet minor premier West in the second semi-final at Port Adelaide, while the men will come off the bye to play Norwood. The winner of both matches goes straight through to the final.

Angela Marino and Monique Bowley proved a headache for Forestville to deal with, Marino scoring 22 points with six assists and Bowley scoring 14 and dominating the rebounds to finish with 18.

Mia Newley top-scored for the Eagles with 21 and six rebounds.

Men’s: West v North, elimination final

WEST Adelaide put an end to North’s shaky season in the elimination final on Saturday night, 81-73.

The Bearcats won the game in the last quarter, where North only scored two field goals for the quarter, Westies overturning a one-point deficit at the last break.

West had a handful of key contributors - Ryan Kersten with 21 points and four assists, Chris Molitor with 17 points and seven rebounds, Blake Truslove with 11 and 11, and Anthony Spadavecchia impressive all-round with 14 points, nine rebounds and four assists.

Nick Hambour was outstanding for North with 16 points and 16 rebounds, and Dallas Quigley stepped up for 16 and eight.

But the Rockets probably needed a big game from defending Woollacott Medallist Erik Burdon, who had 12 points on 4/20 from the field - a defensive win for the Bearcats.

Finals - week two, Saturday:

Wayville:
Forestville v North (women’s first semi-final, 6.30pm)
Forestville v West (men’s first semi-final, 8.15pm)

Port Adelaide:
West v Sturt (women’s second semi-final, 6.30pm)

Pasadena:
Sturt v Norwood (men’s second semi-final, 7.30pm)

SEABL Development League report: courtesy of Mark Quinn, League manager

D LEAGUE MEN GRAND FINAL RESULTS

SANDRINGHAM (44) 89
(Wilcher 23pts 9ass, Mueller 19pts 8rebs, Burum 18pts 9rebs 2blks)
def
KNOX (43) 81
(Gibcus 22pts 7rebs, Moult 19pts 7rebs 4stls, Bass 16pts 14rebs)

Sandringham Sabres were crowned 2009 CRAZY JOHN'S SEABL D LEAGUE Champions after defeating Knox Raiders 89-81 last night. Knox Raiders who defeated Minor Premiers Nunawading last week to earn the Grand Final berth started the game strongly behind the inside presence of Bass, Gibcus and Moult. Raiders started the game with a zone defence which caught the Sabres by surprise as dynamo guard Josh Wilcher was held and Sandringham were fored to find other avenues to score. Knox finished the quarter with a one point advantage. Sandringham were the better team in the second quarter as Burum and Mueller stepped up and provided the Sabres with a consistent scoring presence as the Raiders continued to do a stellar job on Wilcher
defensively. Sandringham produced three late baskets and went into the half time break with a one point advantage. Both teams shot the ball well, but the Sabres held on to the lead throughout the third term. In the fourth term Knox produced some costly errors late in the game and Sandringham Sabres Josh Wilcher was able to shrug off the constant defence and scored
11pts in the final term to guide his team to the Victory.

MVP – Neal Mueller (Sandringham)

D LEAGUE WOMEN GRAND FINAL RESULTS

NUNAWADING (34) 62
(Cole 14pts 2ass 5stls, Vanderzaag 13pts 3rebs 2ass, Yousef 12pts 5rebs)
def
DANDENONG (14) 34
(Appleton 6pts, Martin 5pts 11rebs, Dear 5pts)

Nunawading Spectres were crowned 2009 CRAZY JOHN'S SEABL D LEAGUE WOMEN Champions after defeating Dandenong Rangers 62-34 last night. The Spectres started the Grand Final strongly. In contrast the Rangers suffered with a number of costly turnovers and it was Nunawading by 15 points at quarter time. The Spectres extended their quarter-time lead to 20 points by half time in a low scoring game. The Rangers had a lot of work to do in the second half to be a threat to the Spectres. Accuracy and lack of scoring potential continued to plague the Rangers in the second half quarter although they were able to keep up with the Spectres in the third quarter. The Spectres however dominated at both ends of the court and capitalised on the Ranger's turnovers. By three-quarter time their lead was 22 points. At the 7 minute mark of the final quarter, the game was well and truly over. Nunawading were never headed and went on to record at 28 point championship win, 62-34.

MVP – Nardine Yousef (Nunawading)