Lakes Entrance Basketball Association’s spring ladies and men’s grand finals were played last week, delivering thrilling contests for fans.
The women’s grand final was a nail-biter, with Semi Pro leading Running on Empty by a point at half time, 10-9. However, Running on Empty had the answers in the second half, claiming victory in a hotly contested match, 19-16.
Semi Pro’s Mehegan Mehegan was the match’s highest scorer with 10 points, while Chloe Watson was awarded the grand final MVP after dominating under the ring at both ends.
With a strong season of performances, the race for season MVP was close. Natalie Birè claimed the honour with 20 votes, ahead of Hannah Stephenson (17), Emily Kurrle (16), Chloe Watson (15), Libby Hunter and Emma Wolffenbuttel (both 13), and Mieka Pitt and Jade Frost (both 11).
Fans were treated to two fantastic games, played with plenty of physicality, skill and competitiveness.
The men’s finale was a rematch of the qualifying final two weeks earlier, where the Bomb Squad had defeated the Flint Tropics 58-45.
This time, the Flint Tropics came prepared. With sharp shooting from range in the first half, they led at the break 22-19. The second half saw Flint Tropics go up another gear, scoring eight unanswered points before the Bomb Squad could respond.
The middle stages of the second half featured an intense battle at both ends, led by Toby Jerkins (11 points) for Flint Tropics, and Christian Brooks (10 points) and Jay Vale (12 points) for Bomb Squad. Despite multiple efforts by Bomb Squad to narrow the margin to within four points, Flint Tropics held on to win 49-42.
Toby Jerkins was unanimously voted grand final MVP, while Jayden Hayes claimed season MVP in a remarkable rookie campaign, finishing ahead of Christian Brooks.
