Just as it was the day before in hot and humid conditions at Dandenong Stadium it was the Seniors (Grade 5/6) to take centre stage in the Senior All Star State Grand Final Day. The top 20 boys & girls teams all arriving in the hope of making it through to the final two and be given the opportunity to compete on the grand stage at the Centre court at the State Netball & Hockey centre (AKA 'The Cage') before the Melbourne Tigers Vs Townsville NBL game on Sunday 18th December.

With no wild cards being allocated throughout the Senior All Star Regional Finals, all the teams won through to this stage and all had a potential claim to the title. But there could only be 2 spots in each section to progress to that 'last day in December' and so after many close encounters throughout the day and into the Finals, we were left with our Final 4 boys teams and final 4 girls teams in 2011.

In the girls it was Hartwell PS up against the defending Sr ASG Hoop Time State Champions Milgate PS & St Simons PS up against Bimbadeen Heights PS.

In a very close contest between two very good sides, Hartwell took their slender 2 point half time lead and held on for a close 4 point win over the defending champs to knock them out of the competition. The game certainly could have gone either way, it was low scoring and it was tough. Milgate didn't give their title up by any stretch, they had numerous opportunities, but just couldn't capitalise in the big moments, whereas Hartwell could and definately deserved the win. In the other game Bimbadeen Heights started very well scoring the first 6 points of the game. Only to see their lead whittled back at half time and they went into the second half at 6-6. The second half though was all Bimadeen Heights PS as they slowly pulled away from their courageous opponents with a 9-1 second half to qualify for the 18th December.

So the Sr ASG Championship Final between Hartwell PS & Bimbadeen PS should be a very entertaining affair. Both teams have plenty of game, and scoring options, so it could be an old style shoot out, or it could come down to the team that has the best defense on the big stage that sees themselves with the gold medals at the end of the night. Either way it is too hard to split them on face value, so it should be a very interesting Final. Hartwell PS are aiming for their first ever Hoop Time State title & Bimbadeen Heights are attempting to win their schools 6th Hoop Time State title, but their first since 1995.

In the boys it was Heany Park PS up against Caulfield South PS & in a rematch of the top two sides from the recent SSV State Championships it was Yarra Road PS up against St Peters PS.

Yarra Road just one week ago lost to St Peters in the pool games of the SSV State Championships. But Yarra Road snuck home to win the SSV State title on percentage after winning their second game and seeing St Peters lose their second game so all 3 teams on the day finished on 1 win and 1 loss. So it was a chance to right the wrongs from a week ago and see who really was the better team. It was Yarra Road that came out the better, after a dominating 12-2 first half all they needed to do was consolidate in the second half and despite St Peters trying everything to get back into the game, Yarra Road, did enough to see off any real challenge as they progressed for a chance to take the double-crown of primary school basketball (SSV & McDonald's Hoop Time State Champions).

The other match was a very tight affair throughout the whole game. Neither team gave an inch and left it all out on court after the full 16 minutes of game time. It had everything, big baskets, plenty of fouls, clutch free throws and a great come from behind win. Heany Park got the job done early on from the free throw line, hitting 5 from 8 to give themselves a handy 9-6 lead at the half. However, after that it dried up for them as Caulfield South's never say die attitude saw them sneak infront with just over a 30 seconds remaining. In a tense final flurry, Heany Park did have a chance with less than 10 seconds remaining to steal the win or send it to extra time with 2 free throws, but missed both, and Caulfield South took possession and the match to seal a famous victory.

So the Sr ASB Championship Final is between Yarra Road PS & Caulfield South PS. Yarra Road have proven their credentials in the last 2 weeks winning the SSV State Title and silencing any doubters with a solid win over the SSV State Runners up to qualify for the Final. Caulfield South are quick, and they clearly love the 'underdog' or come from behind status. They will try and grind you down, but can they cause what on paper would be a great upset? Yarra Road are going for the 'double-crown' in the boys division in 2011 and it would be a fantastic achievement. But you cannot discount the underdog. On the big stage of the 3,000 seat State Netball & Hockey Centre, anything can potentially happen. That is the great thing about Sport. Anyone on any day can get up and win. Especially when there is 2 weeks between Grand Final Day & the finals at the Cage.

Yarra Road are looking to secure not only the 2011 double-crown, but also their schools first ever Hoop Time State title. Caulfield South are also searching for their maiden Hoop Time State title. So someone will be walking away with their names in the history books forever.

One thing is for sure, it is going to be 2 great games on one pretty special night!

Sr ASG Preliminary Finals

Hartwell PS (8) d Milgate PS (4)

Bimbadeen Heights PS (15) d St Simons PS (7)

Sr ASG Championship Final - Hartwell PS v Bimbadeen Heights PS

SR ASB Preliminary Finals

Yarra Road PS (17) d St Peters PS (8)

Caulfield South PS (12) d Heany Park PS (11)

Sr ASB Championship Final - Yarra Road PS v Caulfield South PS

State Championship Finals will be played at the State Netball & Hockey Centre (AKA The Cage) on Sunday 18th December prior to the Melbourne V Townsville NBL game.