THE season’s Swan Hill Basketball Association domestic open competition is over, with three new teams crowned champions after fast-paced grand final action.
It was a change of fortunes for two of the three victorious sides, who went one better after falling just short in last season’s competitions.
The division one senior men put on a show for those in the stands, as the Bricklayers and the Piewarmers fought it out in a replay of the 2022/23 season Grand Final.
The Bricklayers got their revenge on the Piewarmers in a back-and-forth battle where both sides went on strong runs, the Bricklayers making it count when it mattered to win 54 to 48.
Matthew Gardner provided a dynamic guard presence to the side, adding an extra scoring threat alongside Lachlan Gardner, who was the game’s top scorer with 15.
Zac O’Meara top scored for the Piewarmers with 14 points, one ahead of teammate Angus Jones.
Last season’s women’s runners up team, the Mixups, used their previous Grand Final loss to inspire them to an undefeated season, with a draw against the Flyers in Round 2 the only blemish.
The Mixups went up against the Dogs in another close battle, but pulled away to build a late lead, winning their Grand Final 50 to 35.
Season MVP Maddy Price was dominant once again across the court scoring 10 points, just behind Emma Peacock with 14 points and Taylen Blachford with 13.
The Dogs fought hard to keep up with Mixups, Kelsey Rowe leading the side with 14 points, while Demi Hallam scored 11.
Division two men’s side Vintage Ballers turned back the clock in their Grand Final against Get Buckets, who had handed the side their only loss for the season in the round before the Semi-finals.
In a toughly contested match, Jacob Sears was dominant, scoring 17 points for the match, as Patrick Caldwell and Anthony Foott scored seven points and eight points respectively.
Joshua Ewart top scored with 10 points for the Get Buckets, who have experienced the unfortunate feeling of a Grand Final defeat two seasons in a row.
Swan Hill Basketball Association’s Sharon Denham said she was pleased to see the community getting involved in the local competitions.
“We had great, competitive grand finals for our open competition, and our junior competitions have been fantastic as well,” she said.
“It’s fantastic to see everyone getting involved, I think basketball has got a real buzz about it at the moment.”
The junior competitions have concluded for the year, with games to return in January next year.
This week’s junior results to come in Tuesday’s Guardian.
