ASEAN Legue launches soon

An exciting new basketball venture will be kicking off in the Asian region with the launch of the ASEAN Basketball League, the following press release is from: http://www.aseanbasketballleague.com

ASEAN League Launch

(left to right) Mr Tony Fernandes (ABL Chairman), Dr Mikee Romero & Mr Tony Cojuangco (Philippine Patriots Team Owners), Ms Nadzaty Azma Azeez (The Barracudas Team Owner), Mr Suthep Benjabhoki (President, Thailand Basketball Association), Mr Erick Thohir (SEABA President), Mr Wira Daim (KL Dragons Team Owner), Mr Wim Reijnen (Thailand Tigers Team Owner), Mr Bobby Barreiro.

1st SEPTEMBER 2009 MANILA, PHILIPPINES – The launch of the teams of the ASEAN Basketball League was held today at Renaissance Hotel, Manila. The league, which kicks off in October 2009, will see the participation of 6 teams from around the ASEAN region.

The Barracudas (Brunei), Kuala Lumpur Dragons (Malaysia), Philippine Patriots, Satria Muda BritAma (Indonesia), Singapore Slingers and Thailand Tigers made their debut appearance in front of ABL Chairman Dato’ Tony Fernandes - entrepreneur and founder of Air Asia, the largest no-frills, budget airline in the region – Mr. Kuhan Foo, Chief Executive Officer of the ASEAN Basketball League and guests of honour Mr. Tony Cojuangco, President of ABC 5 and Mr. Lee Chung Han, Chief Finance Officer of Tune Group.

The event was also graced by team owners, Ms. Nadzaty Azma Azeez (The Barracudas), En. Wira Daim (Kuala Lumpur Dragons), Mr. Wim Reijnen (Thailand Tigers), Mr. Erick Thohir (Satria Muda BritAma), Dr. Mikee Romero & Mr. Bobby Barreiro (Philippine Patriots).

Each team is allowed 5 import players – 2 international and 3 ASEAN with a total squad of 12 players and a travelling squad of 10 players. Teams will compete in a home and away league format culminating in playoffs for the top 4 teams. The tentative league period is October to February every year.

The league aims at cementing the relationship between ASEAN countries through basketball, creating the first pan-ASEAN entertainment and sports property and developing local basketball talents, in an area that covers a population of 600 million people.


For more information, please contact Mr Kuhan Foo, Chief Executive Officer of the ASEAN Basketball League at +6012 331 1398 or email kuhan@aseanbasketballleague.com, or Samantha Surin, Marketing Executive at +6016 219 8847 or email samantha@aseanbasketballleague.com.

Philippine Patriots (left to right) Coach Louie Alas, Mr Tony Conjuangco, Dr Mikee Romero, Player		The Barracudas (left to right) Player, Ms Nadzaty Azma Azeez, Ms Norizah Harun-Taylor, Player		Satria Muda BritAma (left to right) Player, Mr Hasani Abdulgani, Coach Fictor Gideon Roring, Mr Erick Thohir, Player
KL Dragons (left to right) Player, Assistant Coach Soo Eng Heng, Mr Wira Daim, Player		Singapore Slingers (left to right) Player, Mr Michael Johnson, Player		Thailand Tigers Player, Coach Soonthornpong Mawinthorn, Mr Wim Reijnen, Player
ABL Team Owners, VIPs and Players

Way out West! The West Australian report.

WABL-West Australian Basketball League

The WABL Semi-finals are on tap for the upcoming weekend with hosts the Perry Lakes Hawks squaring off against the Kalamunda Eastern Suns in game one followed by a match up between the Lakeside Lightning meeting the Wolves of Wanneroo. The action kicks off at noon local time at the Perry Lakes Basketball Stadium with the women's semis followed by mens action.

The winners of this weekends matches will meet in the Grand Final on 20 September 2009 at Perry Lakes.

On the Women's side of the bracket, it seems like the usual suspects as Wanneroo battles hosts Perry Lakes in one semi and Lakeside meets the Perth Redbacks in the other semi with the winners advancing to Grand Final Day.

In the recently completed WA State League, Lakeside jumped out to an early lead and held on to defeat Perry Lakes by a count of 84-77 in men's action while the Willeton Tigers stopped the Mandurah Magic 73-63 in the ladies Grand Final.

From the Waratah Conference, NSW

courtesy of:http://www.waratah.basketball.net.au

Waratah ABL Men

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles v Parramatta Wildcats

In the most anticipated game of the weekend, bitter rivals Manly and Parramatta would face of for the men’s Waratah title. The Wildcats got off to a great start and opened up a handy lead early on. Led by point forward Graeme Dann and point Luke Martin, Parramatta held off a late Manly surge to lead by 4 at the first break.

Parramatta 22 – 18

The Wildcats continued their great play in the second, with the margin blowing to double digits midway through the quarter. But just when the Sea Eagles looked shot, league MVP Ben Arkell took over, hitting consecutive threes and a few other driving plays to get Manly back square. However, a Goran Veg three point prayer just before the buzzer gave the Wildcats the lead again. At the main break, it was Parramatta by 3.

Parramatta 46 – 43

The Wildcats again got out to another strong start fighting off every Manly challenge. The Sea Eagles hit three deep bombs and got the crowd off their seats. Luke Martin again was rock solid, as was centre Goran Veg with several driving dunks. A Karl King three at the buzzer closed the Wildcats gap to just 3.

Parramatta 80 – 77

The high-scoring, high-level of play continued in the fourth, in what turned out to be the most thrilling and exciting game of the finals weekend. In a classic shootout, Sea Eagles star Ben Arkell was brilliant, scoring 38, while Wildcats guard Luke Martin also scored 38. Manly would see their first lead of the game in the fourth, but it was the Wildcats who held their nerve, taking out the title in a Waratah classic, by 5 points.

Parramatta 109 - 104

Defensive Player of the game: Goran Veg - Parramatta

MVP: Luke Martin – Parramatta

Waratah ABL Women

Bankstown Bruins v Hornsby Spiders

The Spiders got out of the gates early and opening up a handy lead behind star guard Alicia Poto. The Bruins produced a run of their own and behind great play from outside player Sarah Hately and centre Jaime-Lee Samuels fought back to take the lead at the first break.

Bankstown 22 – 20
Spiders again started the quarter great and Poto continued to dominate on the offensive end, scoring and assisting on several back-to-back plays. Behind that run and her 15 points the Spiders edged ahead by 8 at the main break.

Hornsby 42 – 34

The Spiders continued their momentum in the third and Bankstown just seemed to be saving their worst game for the most important one. With everything seemingly going against the Bruins, they were struggling to keep in touch. At the final change it was the Spiders in control by 13.

Hornsby 66 – 53

With their season on the line, the Bruins just had no answers to stopping Alicia Poto, who was simply incredible. With several Bruins guards fouled out trying to stop her, the former Australian player scored a game high 46 points, leading the Spiders to a comfortable 23 point win.

Hornsby 90 – 67

Defensive Player of the Game: Jaimee Kennedy – Hornsby

MVP: Alicia Poto – Hornsby

The Queensland Wrap...QABL Finals

courtesy of: http://www.qabl.basketball.net.au

'Power claim 1st title with Marlins racking up no. 7'

The Cairns Marlins have blitzed the Rockhampton Rockets in the 2009 QBL Grand Final on Saturday night (113-81). Winning three of the four quarters and shooting at 53%, the Marlins led by Boomer Kerry Williams (26pts, 2rbs, 8asts, 1stl) racked up Championship number 7 in style, after finishing the year as minor premiers. US import Reggie Golson put up a worthy effort for the Rockets (28pts, 11rbs, 1ast, 1stl) but the teams 23 turnovers was the real thorn in their side in this game. Marlin Kerry Williams was named the Grand Final MVP.

In Townsville, the Gladstone Power fans were loud and proud as their Women’s team collected an OT victory over a worthy South West Metro Pirates team (102-98). In a game that could very well of ended in a win for either team, the Gladstone Power battled through another tiresome overtime period (their third of the weekend) to bring the first ever State Championship back to Gladstone. Hurst and Bibby dominated at both ends of the floor, with the Pirates Catherine Scanlon being named as the Grand Final MVP with 27pts, 18rbs, 2asts, 1slt, 2blks.

2009 QBL Award Winners - MEN

Most Valuable Player- Cameron Tragardh (Northside Wizards)
Coach of the Year- Leonard King (Mackay Meteors)

2009 QBL Award Winners - WOMEN

Most Valuable Player- Kirby Dalgleish (Townsville Flames)
Coach of the Year- Mark Wrobel (Townsville Flames)

Referee Awards

Referee of the Year - Toni Caldwell
Rookie Referee of the Year - Tom Slattery
Referee Recognition of Service - Kaye Hart

Development League

Men’s Most Valuable Player – Jonathan Mines (South West Metro Pirates)
Women’s Most Valuable Player – Sarah Ambrose (Logan Thunder)

All League Team

Cameron Tragardh (Northside Wizards)
Aaron Grabau (Cairns Marlins)
Reggie Golson (Rockhampton Rockets)
Scott Cook (Mackay Meteors)
Rhys Martin (Rockhampton Rockets)

Statistical Leaders:

Leading Scorer - Cameron Tragardh 42.3ppg
Leading Rebounder – Matthew Hanson 16.6rpg
Steals Leader – Michael O’Neill 2.7spg
Assists Leader – James Cochran 6.3apg
Leading Shot Blocker – Duncan Milne 1.8bpg
Leading Field Goal % - David Bartholomeaus 63.4%
Leading Free Throw % - David Gurney 91.9%
Leading 3 Point % - Aaron Grabau 50.6%

Youth Player of the Year

U23 Youth Player of the Year- Todd Blanchfield (Mackay Meteors)

2009 QBL Award Winners - WOMEN
All League Team

Abby Bishop (Rockhampton Cyclones)
Rohanee Cox (Mackay Meteroettes)
Stephanie Gandy (Bundaberg Bears)
Jessica Bibby (Gladstone Power)
Natalie Hurst (Gladstone Power)

Statistical Leaders

Leading Scorer – Jessica Bibby 30.2ppg
Leading Rebounder – Ezria Parsons 15.1rpg
Steals Leader – Natalie Hurst 4.5spg
Assists Leader – Natalie Hurst 8.2apg
Leading Shot Blocker – Marianna Tolo 2.7bpg
Leading Field Goal % - Marianna Tolo 60.8%
Leading Free Throw % - Natalie Hurst 85.4%
Leading 3 Point % - Natalie Hurst 48.1%

Youth Player of the Year

U23 Youth Player of the Year- Abby Bishop (Rockhampton Cyclones)

The rest of the League reports from 'round Oz

While I have covered quite a bit of the SEABL and the Central ABL, I have been reminded there were other leagues around Australia recently finishing their seasons so here are the finals reports.

Firstly from: http://www.bigv.com.au

Big V Conference

Tigers too much artillery for Hawks

STATE CHAMPIONSHIP MEN

GRAND FINAL GAME TWO

Melbourne Tigers 130 beat Ringwood Hawks 111

The Melbourne Tigers have taken the 2009 State Championship Men's Grand Final series in two games, beating the Ringwood Hawks by 19 points in what was a dominant offensive display.

It's hard to outscore a team that can finish a game of basketball with 130 points — they had 70 at half time. It's equally tough to out shoot a team that's good for 53 per cent from the field and 43 pr cent, especially when they put up 42 attempts from the arc for a game. But these were only some of the massive hurdles that the Ringwood Hawks had to overcome in series where they struggled to stay in the hunt.

The Tigers' shooting performance was nothing short of spectacular. They had a huge inside presence in Daniel Johnson, who owned the low block and had the Hawks doubling from the weak-side. The Tigers played the inside/outside game to perfection, with crisp ball movement giving, their shooters plenty of daylight. Every time the Hawks made a run, the Tigers broke their hearts from outside.

Finals MVP Darryl Corletto lifted in game two, finishing with 33 points and 12 dimes. Matt O'Hea finished with 30 himself, to go along with 11 boards. His shooting was perhaps only topped by Adrien Sturt, who connected on five of six triples to go with a nice dunk in the fourth, to finish the game with 26.

For the Hawks, they weren't disappointing by any stretch. They were able to get points on the board themselves — to finish with 111 against this Tigers outfit was no mean feat. McMillan was consistent with 30 points and nine boards, and the always-fiery Matthew Snowball put up a valiant effort, finishing with 22 points, nine boards and eight assists. He shot the ball well from the three and in the early stages, kept Ringwood in touch when they were struggling for buckets.

Import Sam Belt was not his usual self, finishing the game with 17. He shot 25 per cent from the field and was worse from the three — a disappointing end to a stellar season.

The Tigers led at the first change by 17 and this was quickly out to above twenty in the second. But the Hawks rallied, and got the game back to 12, before the Tigers knocked some big shots and extended yet again. The Tigers were in front by as many as 29 but to the credit of the Hawks, they played the game out under difficult circumstances.

The Tigers had inches at every spot, they shot the ball better, and were very worthy back-to-back champions. Al Westover called the Hawks the bench-mark for the season, and he was right. But the Tigers brought their game when it counted and now boast another banner to hang in their hallowed gallery.

Finals MVP: Darryl Corletto

Bronocs close to perfection

STATE CHAMPIONSHIP WOMEN

GRAND FINAL GAME TWO

Hume City Broncos 75 dft. Waverley Falcons 73

The Hume City Broncos have overcome a huge scare to take game two and the State Championship Grand Final series by a thrilling two points. The Falcons led by as many as 15 at one stage, and went into the final term 13 points in front, but the Broncos rallied and pinched the win on their home floor.

The Falcons second and third quarter was as good as we've seen this year, outscoring the Broncos 56 to 29. They were aggressive, attacking and showed why they were genuine contenders. But, as has been the story for the Falcons all year, their first and last quarters were as if another squad was playing. They were only able to score six points in the first term, and only five in the last.

And this is where the Broncos did their damage. Katrina HIbbert was dominant yet again, finishing the game with 26 points and 12 rebounds. Her partner in hoops, Sharin Milner was equally impressive, finishing the game with 21 points.

For the Falcons, Laura Thomas was Waverleys best, double-doubling with 19 points and 17 boards. Brooke McKay backed up her impressive game one finishing with 16 points.

The Falcons were huge in the paint, out-rebounding the Broncos by nine and outscoring them 40 to 26 under the basket. They shot better from the field and from the three, but let themselves down from the stripe, connecting on 12 of 22. The Broncos on the other hand made the most of their free-throws, getting to the line 19 times for 16 points.

The Broncos have been unstoppable all season, and the Falcons have been a worthy adversary. And although the best team on the season walked away with the title, the Falcons may always wonder what may have transpired on Sunday, had they got over the line.

Finals MVP: Katrina Hibbert

Jordan selects David Thompson to open doors to Hall of Fame

Out of the virtual plethora of people including former coaches Dean Smith and Phil Jackson, running mate Scottie Pippen, former college teammates James Worthy and Sam Perkins, hang out buddies Charles Barkley and Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan has chosen David Thompson to present him to the Basketball Hall of Fame.

If you refer back to my very first blog, it was about that very David Thompson. It speaks even more volumes about the influence Thompson had on the game for him to be chosen for such an honour. While Jordan left his indelible mark on the game, he readily admits that his game was patterned around the high flying antics of Thompson who went to arch Carolina rival N.C. State.

Congratulations to Mr. Jordan and kudos for recognising the predecessor of the Skyways.

CABL Final Wrap

Congratulations to the Norwood Flames men and Forrestville Eagles women for their Grand Final victories in the CABL over the weekend.

In the men's final Todd Matthews notched 29 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists to lead the way as Norwood stopped the Sturt Sabres 94-84. Matthews received adequate support from Andrew Webber who scored 19 points in spite of an icy cold 4 of 14 shooting from three point land and Keith Krausse with 18 points. On the boards Dan Thompson with 15 and David Cooper with 10 rebounds helped to offset a massive effort by Sturt's Jacob Holmes who scored 21 points and grabbed 24 rebounds. Darren Ng with 18 and Thomas Daly with 16 were other double figure scorers for the Sabres.

In the ladies final, Forrestville was rarely troubled as they ran past Sturt by a 74-49 count. Jess Fergus scored 21 points to lead the way with Dee Ranford scoring 16 points, grabbing 10 rebounds and dishing out 5 assists and Mia Newley scoring 15 points and snaring 11 rebounds for the Eagles. Caroline Burgess with 14 points and Brigid Bowley with 12 rebounds headed Sturt's effort.

Congratulations to the champions and well played to the runners up. Good luck next season.