Millicent Magic players backed their own tournament up with a trip to Warrnambool basketball associations seaside classic over the weekend.
UNDER 18 WOMEN
MILLICENT Magic’s Under 18 women returned home from the Warrnambool Basketball Association’s Seaside Classic event with the Division 2 runners-up medallions.
Off the back of the home tournament, coach Kerry Smith was forced to field a new-look side after three players were unavailable for the event.
However, the addition of Indi Venables and Ella Little provided a new focus for the team.
A draw with Warrnambool B, a three-point loss to Koroit and a big loss to Portland A saw the side finish in fourth for their pool, which placed them in Division 2 on Sunday.
Some solid teamwork earned a win over Terang and the girls found themselves in the grand final with a rematch against Koroit.
Kayleigh Taylor top-scored as she did all weekend, while Little provided drive into offence and Venables was tight in defence.
Ella Wesolowski also worked hard under the basket, but in the end it was not enough and the Magic went down by nine points.
UNDER 14 DIVISION 1 GIRLS
THE Millicent Magic Under 14 Division 1 girls started their Seaside Classic campaign in pool A and claimed a solid win over the Colac Kookas.
Another win in game two saw the side leapfrog the evening qualifying final to progress straight into Sunday’s semi-final.
In the second match, Lacey Haines drove hard and found the gaps to the basket, while Charlotte Turner showed her strength at both ends to lead the Magic to a comfortable win.
That set up a semi-final against Mount Gambier, which Millicent had lost to the week before at home.
The Magic was off to a strong start and led all game until the final three minutes, where Mount Gambier landed some lucky outside shots and the two 20-minute halves took their toll.
It was a gallant effort, but Millicent had to settle for a consolation final match against Horsham.
Georgia Winter took the lead early and the Magic started well.
Makinlee Futcher was determined in finding the basket and the Magic finished with a comfortable win.
UNDER 12 GIRLS
DONNA Denton has coached her Under 12 Magic girls to their third tournament win, as they took out the Division 2 grand final in Warrnambool.
Up against Division 1 teams, Millicent won four of the five minor round games.
However an eight-point loss to Colac in the Division 1 semi-final saw the Magic play in the Division 2 grand final against Hamilton.
Hamilton had control of the game in the first half as the Magic fought hard, but found it difficult to score with their shots not dropping.
The height of Hamilton under the basket made it a challenge and Matti Fauchelle was the only scorer for Millicent in the first half.
At half time the score was at 7-2.
After the break Meg Schubert, Ruby Shepherd and Alex Haines got some vital touches to win the ball back and Piper Paul hit a long range shot to put the Magic within range.
However, with five minutes to play the girls were seven points behind and Hamilton looked settled.
Kalani Dunn took a good intercept and passed to Sarah Sigston, who drove hard to the basket where she was fouled and scored one from the free-throw line.
With three minutes to play Millicent was five points behind.
Mylee Lynch worked hard to force the turnover and Emily Denton finished off her good work under the basket.
Some more defensive pressure saw the Magic win the ball and with 30 seconds on the clock, Fauchelle scored under the basket and the Magic hit the lead for the first time in the match.
They maintained the pressure in defence and won the match 13-12.
It was a solid team effort after the side had played seven games for the weekend.
UNDER 12 DIVISION 1 BOYS
THE Under 12 Division 1 Millicent Magic boys lost only one game for the tournament, going down in the semi-final to miss out on a grand final berth.
Off to a strong start, the team’s slick passing saw a seven-point win against Horsham open the weekend.
In the next clash against Mount Gambier, Will Wimshurst was strong on the board, while Ben Copping’s nine points helped the Magic it their way to another seven-point victory.
The second half against Hamilton proved to be the highlight for Millicent’s campaign, as it allowed the opposition to score just four points.
That was due to some impressive defence from Oskar Howell, Connor McMullan and Lenny Tunkin.
Having lost to Portland the week before Millicent was keen to redeem itself.
In a tight and fast-paced quarter-final, the Magic boys kept their head to record a two-point win.
The semi final was the only loss for the weekend despite outscoring Warrnambool in the second half.
The improvement shown from last week to this was a credit to the team.
Millicent juniors now have a break before the Mount Gambier tournament, but the Millicent Magic CBL women have two home games this weekend and all juniors are encouraged to make their way to Peter Seebohm Stadium to see first hand where the junior pathway could lead them.
