Another incredible season of local domestic basketball culminated last week at the Bairnsdale Aquatic and Recreation Centre with the Bairnsdale and District Amateur Basketball Association hosting 13 grand finals.
Association president Daniel Taylor was thrilled with how the two nights paned out and the growth and development that he is currently witnessing in the game locally.
Basketball over the past few months has seen many thrilling finishes and incredible games, from the juniors in the under eights, right through to the adults at senior level.
“Local basketball continues to deliver, whether it be in forming new friendships, developing and testing skills or acts of amazing sportsmanship. The finals had it all as players showed plenty of heart, hustle and sportsmanship,” Taylor said.
Basketball is a logistical nightmare, Taylor thankful for the support of the players and families, coaches, team managers, scorers, volunteers and his hard-working committee, whose combined contribution make it all possible.
Taylor was keen to clarify a recent query in regard trophy and medal presentations.
“For all younger age groups (under 10 through to under 16), we present individual trophies and medallions for runners ups as part of fostering early engagement, inclusion and celebration,” Taylor said.
The tradition varies slightly for the older participants.
“For all older juniors (under 18) and senior competitions, we present medallions, which is a common practice across many associations and considered more age-appropriate for these divisions,” Taylor said.
All players are equally valued by the Bairnsdale and District Amateur Basketball Association, with Taylor keen to get more people involved at committee and volunteer level, with more hands making light work.
Plenty of opportunities exist, with the winter season just around the corner and the Country Basketball League season in the horizon.
Men’s “A” grade premiers – Magic: Anthony Wright, Lachie Cameron, Christopher Fields, John Nuttall, Adam Lucke, James Myers and Stephen Savige. (PS)
Mens “A” grade runners-up – The Ballers: Rex Hargreaves, Harley Earles, Alex Padula, Ben Talko and Tyran Rees. (PS)
Senior women’s runners-up – Fireworks: Coach Chad Ingram with players, Grace Ingram, Jaime Fordham, Laura Szabo, Ashlee Dixon-Tong, Kate Ingram, Jade Galliott and Michaela Manning. (PS)
Under 16 boys runners-up – Green: Max Taylor, Lenny Dullard, Jackson Calabro, Ryder McGovern and Cedric Taylor. (PS)
Under 16 boys premiers – Black: Coach Damien Abbey with players Yvan Cabrera, Beau Newman, Max Gudgin, Bailey Karis, Durome Abbey, Liam Richards and Jai Pyke. (PS)
Senior women’s premiers – Raptors: Katie Pearce, Stacey Ashley, Julie Hadingham, Ashley Coates, Jess Weatherall, Annaliece Collins, Libby Tuckett and Rosalie Cawood. (PS)
Under 14 girls runners-up – Aces. Quinn McGovern, Mikalea Feather, Annabelle Evans, Sawyer Falls, Jasmine Lynch, Jasmine Telford, Lylah Cerda and Florence Marriot-Smith. (PS)
Under 10 premiers – Grizzlies: Finn Anderson, Myles Irish, Archie Whelan, Charlie Irish, Rocco Pruscino and Charli Coates. (PS)
Under 10 runners-up – Knicks: Finnigan Harris, Spencer Tupou, Levi Poynton, Levi Beecher, Patrick Baylis and Henry Nunn. (PS)
Under 12 premiers – Celtics: Zac Hughes, Miller Preston, Deacon Mooney, Henry Bennett, Hudson Whelan and Ben Newcomen. (PS)
Under 18 girls runners-up – Storm: Libby Smith, Gabrielle Schilling, Georgia Irish, Paige Coverdale, Rosalie Cawood and Emily Mitchell. (PS)
Under 12 runners-up – Suns: Henry Porter, River Searle, Charlie Henderson, Nate Gardam, Sam Brodribb, Archer Bayard and Leon Joyce. (PS)
Under 12 runners-up – Bulls: Bodie Boeker, Cruz Anderson, Darby Robinson, Thomas Counihan, Nate Johns and Ronin Gow. (PS)
Under 12 premiers – Warriors: Elisha Froud with players Noah Froud, Patrick Merante, Samuel Snow, Jackson Davies, Harley Fisicaro and Lachie Strecker. (PS)
Under 14 runners-up – Orange: Harry Simpson, Braidy Volk, Hunter Jaensch, Isaac Johnson, Levi Smith and Alexander Collins. (PS)
Under 14 premiers – Blue: Coach David Pachl with players Jett Anderson, Dyson Cooper, Hugh Carroll, Baron Bode, Shakur Perry and Dexter Kowal. (PS)
Men’s “B” grade premiers – Swishes: Jayke Andrews, Samual Richards, Zachary O’Keefe, Rex Hargreaves and Josh Pollac. (PS)
Men’s “B” grade runners-up – Pirates: Zachary Wearne, Will Blackley, Oliver Palmer, Saxon Buckley, Tim Palmer, Mat Falls and Zayn Smith. (PS)
Under 12 premiers – Liberty: Willow Harris, Eve Tong, Lacey Lee, Airly Taylor and Quinn Soulsby. (PS)
Under 14 boys premiers – Yellow: Noah Gardam, Mitchell Holland, Asher White, William Savige. Jackson Parker and Thomas Walsh with coach Stephen Savage. (PS)
Under 12 runners-up – Lynx: Audrina Shiels, Hannah Ashley, Kenzie Cartwright, Abigail Telford, Addison Pearce, Audrey Percival and Evie Coates. (PS)
Under 18 girls premiers – Suns: Abbey Vernon, Jade Frost, Sophie Bryan, Lillyarna Perry, Iylah Taylor and Sophie Faithfull. (PS)
Under 14 girls premiers – Fever. Haddie McLeod, Luca Smith, Emily Schilling, Chelsea Hebbard, Charlotte Wood, Meika Brodribb, Pippa Griffiths and Lola Phair. (PS)
Under 18 boys runners-up – Mavericks: Archie Irish, Caleb Kelly, Cody Moss, Dallas Aquilina and Tom Carter. (PS)
Under 18 boys premiers – Warriors: Archie Poore, Jake DeDonato, Zane Delaney, Ashton Lulham, Douglas Ashby, Charles OByrne and Harry McGuinn. (PS)
