Two senior grand finals were played at the Lakes Entrance Youth and Recreation Centre culminating a competitive
season of action at the Lakes Entrance Amateur Basketball Association.
The men’s finale saw the Turbos and Replacements take the court, both teams having been the more dominant of recent seasons.
The Turbos well rested having come off a weeks break after flexing with a walkover win in the first final, beating the Replacements 72-33 to advance straight through.
The large crowd was treated to a fantastic game, both teams trading the lead throughout the first half, neither able to stretch to a significant lead, the
Replacements leading at half time 16-15.
But the Turbos came out from the half time break firing going on a 7-0 run to try break the game open, but the Replacements then answered with a 10-0 run of their own and the game was back on an even keel once again.
The second part of the half saw some great long range shooting from both sides and with 80 seconds remaining, the game looked to be going to overtime with both sides locked together at 36-all, with bonus foul eligibility activated for both teams.
With just two seconds remaining, enter Replacements veteran Grant Balintong, blasting past to put up a signature mid-range jumper, bouncing out before sinking to give his side a hard earned two-point win.
Game referees and match officials awarding the grand final MVP to Ben Talko from the Replacements.
Young Kye Piper from the Replacements was the only player in the contest to reach double figures shooting 10 points.
The men’s season MVP were also presented with Christian Brooks (Turbos) victorious with 22 points and Jack Cameron from the Lakers, runner-up with 18 votes.
The women’s grand final was less of a spectacle, Semi Pro outclassing Lakes Chics, 40-12.
Restricting their opposition to just one basket in the first half, Semi-Pro was never challenged with Mehegan Mehegan (15 points) and Emma Wolffenbuttel (11).
Natalie Bire was adjudged the grand final MVP, with the seasonal award going to Tahnee Stephenson (Panthers), with the runner-up Ameila Harrison (Lakes Chics).
