BASKETBALL is becoming a year-round sport at Swan Hill Basketball Association, with the town’s winter competition keeping players active through the colder months.
The competition came to a close this week, as boys and girls from under-12 to under-16 played out grand finals at Swan Hill Stadium over Monday and Wednesday nights.
Play was fierce, with many close games making for fantastic viewing for the crowd of families, friends and supporters who cheered on their teams in the 2-month tournament.
The boys tipped off the finals on Monday night, with the under-12 boys starting things off with a 10-point victory by the Swans over the Rebels, 30 to 20.
Judd O’Sullivan led the Swans with 14 points, while Hamish Pay top scored for the Rebels with 10 points.
The Untouchables lived up to their name in the under-14 boys final, with Archie O’Brien’s 29 points leading them to a 12-point win over the Hawks.
Lucas Pay and Ethan O’Bryan scored 11 and 10 points respectively for the Hawks, their side falling 41 to 29.
It was just a single basket that separated the Rebels and the Saints in the under-16 boys competition, with the Rebels defeating the Saints 36 to 34.
Tiger Vearing top scored for the victorious Rebels with 23 points, while the Saints top score Will O’Brien wasn’t far behind with 21 points.
With the boys done and dusted for the competition, it was the girls chance to shine on Wednesday night when their finals were held.
Speewa claimed the under-12 girls grand final by just three points over Fireflys, Willow Cadd top scoring with seven while Arlee Parsons scored six points in the match that ended 15 to 12.
Another close match followed in the under-14 girls, in which the Rebels defeated Speewa 27 to 25, thanks to Ivy Patterson’s 13 points while Stella Scott top scored for Speewa with nine.
Trotters wrapped up the season with a 15-point win over Rebels, Scarlet Grey’s 24-point performance leading her side to the 50 to 35 point win, Evie Kelly scored 23 for Rebels.
LEAGUE MVPS:
BOYS:
Under-12:
MVP: Rafael Foott – Saints
R/U: George Muir – Tigers
Under-14
MVP: Lucas Pay – Hawks
R/U: Mityen Mcinnes – Saints
Under 16:
MVP: Callum Muir – Giants
R/U: Will O’Brien – Saints
GIRLS:
Under-12:
MVP: Arlee Parsons – Fireflys
R/U: Willow Cadd – Speewa
Under-14:
MVP: Scarlett Free – Rebels
R/U: Stella Scott – Speewa
Under-16:
MVP: Jenna Gray
R/U: Evie Kelly – Rebels
