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MILLICENT basketballers are the toast of the town after claiming both the men’s and women’s Limestone Coast Basketball Competition grand finals on Saturday.
Both sides faced the Mount Gambier Lakers and the Magic women set the scene with a comfortable victory.
Much of that was on the back of a 30-point haul from grand final MVP winner Emily Winter, well supported by Jasmin Howe with 22.
While the Lakers would have liked their chances after a 12-point win against Keith in the semi-final, Millicent had thumped Naracoorte to the tune of 50 points and started hot favourites.
Millicent quickly stamped their authority on the game and never looked back, as Winter and Howe went to work under the basket.
Sarah Ritter top scored for the Lakers with 16 points, but in the end the magic did it with ease, with a 90-55 result.
Howe and Ritter were awarded joint MVP for the season.
The men’s competition was a much closer affair, with just eight points separating the two sides at full time.
The Lakers suffered players losses due to Pioneers commitments and injury, with Millicent also missing sharp-shooter Erik Burdon.
Both sides fought hard in their respective semi-finals, with Millicent claiming a 21-point win over Bordertown, while Mount Gambier defeated Keith by 12 points.
The Lakers side was competitive from the opening tip, with Matthew Berkefeld giving his side a much-needed perimeter boost with 11 points in a welcome return to the court.
Duncan Reid top scored for the lakers with 15 points but it was the overall effort of Millicent which ensured victory.
Aiden Schultz (15), Kade Bradley (14) and Josh Murphy (13) were all solid contributors around the hoop, with the final 65-57 scoreline testament to a well-contested grand final.
Murphy was awarded MVP for the final and joint season winner with Keith’s Jordan Robertson.
The competition came together due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with restrictions not allowing the Lakers or the magic to play in Victoria’s Country Basketball League.
It was deemed a success, bringing Keith, Bordertown and Naracoorte into inter-association competition at a high level.
Results – Women
Grand final: Millicent 90 (E. Winter 30, J. Howe 22) d Mount Gambier 55 (S. Ritter 16, O. Wormald 9, N. Facey 8).
Best player in grand final: E. Winter (Millicent).
Most valuable player for season – Joint winners: J. Howe (Millicent), S. Ritter (Mount Gambier).
Consolation final: Keith 56 (S. Lubcke 14, D. van Kalken 14) d Naracoorte 43 (S. Miles 10, E. Edwards 10, Z. Grigg 10).
Semi-finals: Millicent 87 (J. Howe 22, L. Denton 16, E. Winter 13) d Naracoorte 37 (Z. Grigg 12, E. Edwards 9).
Mount Gambier 57 (C. Hunter 11, M. Horrigan 11, N. Facey 10) d Keith 45 (S. Lubcke 18, D. van Kalken 9).
Men
Grand final: Millicent 65 (A. Schultz 15, K. Bradley 14. J. Murphy 13) d Mount Gambier 57 (D. Reid 15, S. Stafford 11, M. Berkefeld 11).
Best player in grand Final: J. Murphy (Millicent).
Most valuable player for season – Joint winners: J. Robertson (Keith), J. Murphy (Millicent).
Consolation final: Keith 62 (J. Robertson 21, A. Inness 11) d Bordertown 45 (T. Leach 8, R. Tink 8, K. Fuentes 8).
Semi-finals: Millicent 81 (K. Bradley 21, A. Schultz 16, F. Bradley 14) d Bordertown 60 (T. Leigh 17, J. Grosser 11, J. Hinge 10).
Mount Gambier 72 (D. Reid 23, S. Stafford 19, S. Lock 17) d Keith 60 (J. Robertson 21, P. Makin 14, N. Robertson 10).
