MILLICENT Magic women advanced to the Country Basketball League grand final in style, with a hard-fought 15-point semi-final victory over Mount Gambier Lakers on Saturday night.
The game had been transferred to the Icehouse from the Peter Seebohm Stadium, which worked in well with the men’s semi-final to follow.
Despite giving up the home-court advantage, Millicent took control early and was never headed, to set up a chance to claim back-to-back championships.
The majority of the scoring came through Jess Venn with 23 points and Emily Winter with 17.
No other Magic player reached double figures, but there was an even contribution across the board.
While Heidi Clark failed to hit the scoreboard, a big defensive effort helped slow the momentum of Lakers big Keryl Ousey, after injury forced Magic’s Georgia Winter from the floor.
The Magic started with a 10-0 run before the Lakers could find the hoop, with all points from the hot hand of Venn.
Nikeisha Facey then turned the tide for the Lakers with a big three-point bomb, followed by a two from Ousey.
Facey added another two, but it was all about Venn early, with another pair of threes to keep the Magic well out in front.
The Lakers pulled the margin back to four points, but Keely Venn and Lucy Denton went to the line with successful free throws and the Magic remained 11 points clear.
As the quarter wound down a big three from Lakers’ Tara Bryant closed the margin somewhat, but the Magic were on top and Mount Gambier needed to lift in the second term.
The quarter opened in emphatic style, with both sides fighting hard for possession and only foul shots going to the Magic.
Eventually Ousey found back-to-back twos to give the Lakers some spark, while Facey also chipped in to break down the margin.
Olivia Wormald stepped up for the Lakers, while Ousey continued to find the hoop, but a big three from Georgia Winter saw the Magic out to a 14-point advantage at the long break.
Ousey opened the scoring in the third term, but Madi Hagget and Madi Turner went back-to-back to nullify the effect.
Anything the Lakers threw at the contest the Magic answered and as the final stanza approached Millicent led to the tune of 16 points.
From there the Lakers pushed hard to remain in the contest, but were unable to make inroads into the lead, with the Magic running out emphatic victors.
For the Lakers Ousey top scored with 15 points, while Wormald contributed 13.
Millicent coach Peter Seebohm was rightly pleased with the result, which he said came from an improved focus in recent rounds.
“I think since Christmas our girls have really got their act together, sharing the ball more and being more patient with our offence, trying to make that work,” he said.
“We have also extended our pressure down the floor, playing full court and getting the pressure on the ball all the time.”
That defensive effort proved stifling to the Mount Gambier side, applying enough pressure to force rushed shots and turnovers.
Seebohm said it showed the confidence his girls currently have in their game.
“We knew pound for pound we were as good as Mount Gambier, but I did not think we would get it to that margin,” he said.
“But our girls stayed on task.
“I think in essence Mount Gambier concentrated a bit too much on Emily Winter and let some of our other players get off the hook.”
Seebohm said players such as Turner had a big effect on the final outcome.
“I think Madi Turner had an absolute hell of a game,” he said.
“She would not have scored much, but got the ball where it had to be.
“Defensively she put pressure on the ball the whole time.
“Some of our young kids such as Lucy Denton and Georgia Winter stepped up.
“Before she tweaked her ankle, Georgia was playing some really good defence.
“Jess Venn was really hot early.
“She did a really good job, but just does not believe in herself enough.”
Seebohm said it was a credit to his girls, who stuck to their game plan, even when Mount Gambier applied pressure.
“In that Mount team there are girls who have played a fair bit of state basketball,” he said.
“They have the talent there – they have a Pioneers player like we do.
“But when Georgia hurt her ankle, Heidi Clark – who was a fair bit smaller than Keryl (Ousey) – got in there, did her job and tried to shut her down.
“Overall it was a real team effort – everyone chipped in and did what they had to do.”
Seebohm said there was a good feel after the game, with the grand final berth secured.
“It has been a sensational season,” he said.
“We did not even know if we were going to make finals.
“After the game the girls were really happy, but there was no over-the-top celebration.
“They really seem to be focused on what we have to do.”
