James Murphy
IT is crunch time for the Millicent Magic men with a do-or-die meeting against Ararat Redbacks in Saturday’s Country Basketball semi-finals.
The Magic snuck into finals contention with a win last week and now the fourth-placed side face a road trip to the ladder-leader’s home courts.
The winner earns a place in the South West conference grand final, while the loser packs their bags for the 2022-23 season.
Last time the sides met Millicent was severely understaffed, but despite the inexperienced roster kept within 24 points of the Redbacks.
The previous meeting back in Round 7 was a different story and the Magic claimed a 12-point win with a near full-strength roster.
Coach Darren Dean hopes for similar availability this week, after a prolonged period of relying heavily on youth.
“If we can get a full team together we will go over there with confidence,” he said.
“We beat them at home in the first round and went over there light-on last weekend (and put up a fight).”
Kade Bradley has been one constant among the starting players on the list and his services have been invaluable in the back-end of the season.
He will be a focal point again, while young-guns Jack Haggett, Jackson Bowden and Harry Mules made their presence known when they returned to the courts last week.
Dean said there would be further inclusions to the side for the semi-final and at the time of print Frazer Bradley, Joshua Murphy, Finn Grimes and Clint Gallio were locked in to bolster the ranks.
Together they pose a formidable opponent and give Millicent its best chance of booking a place in the decider, which is an exciting prospect.
“I think it is only the second time the (Millicent) boys have made CBL finals and I think the last time was six years ago,” Dean said.
“It is a pretty good effort for such a young group.”
The Redbacks boast some talent of their own, with the like of Zac Dunmore and Fiegert brothers Ethan and Joshua focal points.
“If we can detain those three or keep them to a reasonable score – they are always going to score – and back our guys in at the other end, I think we will go in confident,” Dean said.
“We are confident if we have a full group that we can go and match it against Ararat and most teams which are left.”
The game is set for a 6.30pm start and will ultimately decide the first grand finalist, with the second semi-final between Mount Gambier and Horsham scheduled for 8pm at the Icehouse.
