MOUNT Gambier Laker Simon Berkefeld had an outstanding weekend at the 2019 A Grade Country Championships in Gawler.
Competing in the senior men’s side, Berkefeld received the Frank Clark Award for most valuable player of the A Grade competition.
The Lakers finished runners-up in the championship after they went down to Port Pirie in the grand final 74-76 in overtime, a game which saw Berkefeld presented with the Pat O’Keeffe award after he was judged the most valuable player for the match.
The Lakers had to make do with limited numbers as the championship clashed with their Country Basketball League semi-final, also played on Saturday night.
Kyle Tipene, Brad Rathjen, Riley Thomson, Sean King, Marcel Last, Berkefeld and coach Chris Mason formed the team which achieved results well above expectations.
The Lakers played the first of their five games against Keith who they defeated 83-67, followed by a solid 75-60 win against Great Southern.
The qualifying final saw the Lakers advance on the back of a 67-47 win over Barossa Valley.
A semi-final clash against arch rival Eastern Hills saw a typical physical contest, with the Lakers victorious by a single point, securing a grand final berth against Port Pirie.
The decider lived up to expectation with the scores tight throughout as Port Pirie applied relentless pressure on the Lakers, who had little left in the tank.
The Lakers managed to draw level at regulation time and force the game into overtime.
Port Pirie managed to gain a narrow lead, only to see the Lakers hit back.
A last gasp shot to snare a win for the Lakers rimmed out, handing Port Pirie the 2019 country championship title 76-74.
Credit must go to former Lakers and Pioneers player Chris Mason, who organised and coached a team of current and past players.
The countless hours he spent in forming the side reflects the passion he and the team have for the annual Senior Country Championships.
Although the Lakers were down on numbers, they can take pride from the high level of which they competed.
