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Elimination Final - Zodiacs 1 v Onka Piranhas

Zodiacs 1 has progressed through to the second week of finals on the back of arguably the best individual performance of the week with Mike Smith lighting up the Maroons for a season high 29 points, including 7 long-range bombs. Zodiacs 1 struggled to adjust to the officiating in the first half of this game, with several key players in foul trouble and down 31-18 at the halftime break. Piranhas forward Devon McGee running riot for 15 first half points.

Zodiacs experienced leadership duo of playing coach Wes Roach and team captain Joel Goodenough rallied their teammates in the third quarter, but still could not improve on the score line down by 13 points leading into the final quarter. Enter Wes Roach, who is not unfamiliar with this situation to nail two 3 point baskets to start proceedings. Joel Goodenough could now sense an opportunity for the Golds and found Mike Smith who was “un-guardable” on offence at this stage of the game. Scott Baxter was inspirational on the defensive end limiting the dangerous Devon McGee to only 5 second half points. Piranhas were running out of fuel and could not stop the fast finishing Golds.

Piranhas never recovered from their slow final quarter start despite the best efforts of Jack Barrett (16 pts) and Captain/Coach Shaun Wegner (12 pts). Zodiacs 1 will now meet Mount Barker Magic in what will be a knockout final. The Magic have dropped their previous two games, with one being at the hands of the experienced Golds outfit.

It will be a cracker game with a grand final berth up for grabs.

Leading Scorers: Zodiacs 1 54 (M. Smith 29, S. Baxter 10) defeated Piranhas 49 (D. McGee 19, J. Barrett 16)

Semi Final #1- Mt Barker Magic v German Arms 76ers

With a grand final spot and a week’s rest up for grabs, it was the 76ers who had just too much fire-power for a Magic team that only had four players adding to the score line. Conversely the Blues had all eight players registering points and making plays.

Leading by 8 points at half time and 14 at the last break, the 76ers stormed home with a 60-43 win. Leading the way for the winners was Jordan Houlahan (14 pts) and Sam Scott who also finished with 14 points. For the Magic it was Matt Johns who bounced back this week with a game high (22 points), and Andrew Mason chipping in for 10 points. German Arms playing coach Scotty “School Bus” Rattus is no doubt the coach of the year in the Men’s A League competition. His charges have been consistent all season, with a great display of team basketball.

The Magic now need to regroup and find that early season chemistry as they now face Zodiacs 1 in what will be another cutthroat final.

Leading Scorers:German Arms 60 (J. Houlahan 14, S. Scott 14) defeated Magic 43 (M. Johns 22, A. Mason 10)

 

WOMEN

Elimination Final - Zodiacs v Onka Piranhas

Onka Piranhas were ousted 51-32 in the elimination final to a determined Zodiacs side, ever so keen on having the opportunity to progress to the second semi-final. The 19-point win sees the Golds go into the next stage of the finals with a great deal of confidence. Courtney Kretschmer provided the highlights sparking up for 15 points, but it was Jenna Brumpton who stood tall with 11 points and as many rebounds in a herculean effort. For the maroons Tahlia Hiley showed some resistance with a classy 10 points. 

A disappointed Piranhas team will be extremely upset with the amount of times they allowed their opposition to get to the free throw line, as this was a telling factor in the final score line.

Leading Scorers: Zodiacs 51 (C. Kretschmer 15, J. Brumpton 11) defeated Onka Piranhas 32 (T. Hiley 10)

Semi Final #1- Mt Barker Magic v Strathalbyn

A grand final berth beckoned for just two teams out of the four who stood tall throughout the season; four exceptional clubs that deserved to be here, however just two will remain. The hot starting Storm shot out to a 31-14 lead at the end of the first half and didn’t look back. Shane Nethercott playing one of her best games of the season, saluting to her teammates when it counted with 22 points on some very hot shooting. Carly Vivian played second fiddle for arguably the first time this season with 10 points in another serviceable game.

For the Magic, it was always going to be an extremely tough game, but they probably never expected to go down by such a big margin. While they were well aware of Strathalbyn’s capabilities, it just didn’t seem to click for the Magic once the ball was tossed in the air to start the game. Alison Hodgson was the standout for a disappointing Magic with 9 points.

Leading Scorers: Strathalbyn 50 (S. Nethercott 22, C. Vivian10) defeated Magic 31 (A. Hodgson 9)