Outstanding results for girls in basketball

On Tuesday 19 November the CMCB Year 7, Year 8 and Intermediate Girls Basketball teams departed Bendigo at 6.00am for the SSV State Finals at the State Basketball Centre in Wantirna South. A brilliant day was had as all teams excelled, and our Year 7 Girls and Year 8 Girls came home as State Champions.

SCHOOL SPORTS VICTORIA – STATE FINALS

Basketball

Year 7 Girls – STATE CHAMPIONS

The Year 7 Girls Basketball Team played exceptionally well throughout the day, demonstrating incredible determination and teamwork. Every loose ball was contested, every opportunity to steal was seized, and the absence of two tall players only spurred the team to work even harder.

With fresh legs off the bench and well-timed rotations, the team displayed hunger and passion for victory. It was truly impressive to watch them utilise their structures, communicate about strategies, and adapt their gameplay with a level of maturity and confidence beyond their years.

Results
• Round 1: CMCB defeated Mentone Girls Secondary College, 34-9
• Round 2: CMCB defeated St Helena Secondary College, 48-17
• Round 3: CMCB defeated Trinity College Colac, 73-21

Grand Final: CMCB vs Rowville Secondary College
The grand final was the toughest match of the day, with Rowville SC starting strong and scoring first. However, CMCB quickly regained control, sticking to their structures and showing the same grit and determination that had brought them this far.

The team’s stamina never faltered. Mila Childs and Sienna Raco made incredible steals, while Etta Place dominated under the basket, repeatedly intercepting Rowville’s offence. Ellie Macumber’s fast breaks and layups provided critical points, and Elle Gilchrist’s strength and accountability in offence were instrumental. Meanwhile, Poppy Carter and Lily McMaster excelled in ball-handling and precise passing, ensuring smooth transitions and maintaining pressure on the opposition.

Even when Etta was injured and had to leave the game in the final three minutes, the team stayed composed and finished strong to secure a well-deserved victory.

Final Score: CMC 36 – Rowville SC 29

It was an absolute joy to watch the girls’ performance throughout the day. Congratulations to all players and support staff for their dedication and teamwork. This talented group is undoubtedly one to watch for the future!

TEAM: Lilly McMaster, Mila Childs, Ellie Macumber, Mrs Rachel Winfield (Coach), Etta Place, Elle Gilchrist, Sienna Raco, Poppy Carter

Year 8 Girls – STATE CHAMPIONS

The Year 8 Girls Basketball Team claimed a stunning victory at the SSV State Basketball Finals, defeating four formidable opponents to secure the championship. Their remarkable journey showcased their resilience, teamwork, and determination.

Game One: CMCB def Berwick Secondary College 37-21
The team began their campaign with a commanding victory over Berwick Secondary College. A strong start and an aggressive full-court press set the tone for the game. Excellent shooting and relentless defensive pressure kept their opponents at bay. The girls displayed high intensity, never giving up, and working together brilliantly by sharing the ball effectively, demonstrating a cohesive team effort.

Game Two: CMCB def Mount Ridley College 29-20
In a thrilling rematch against Mount Ridley, the team avenged last year’s State Finals loss with a hard-fought victory. The match was fiercely contested, with strong offence and sharp defence proving critical. Their tactical play shut down Mount Ridley’s taller players, and fast breaks kept the opposition on the back foot. Despite the physicality of the game, the girls stayed composed, refusing to be intimidated, and their second efforts paid off.

Game Three: CMCB def Ballarat High School 41-30
Facing Ballarat High School, the girls maintained their momentum with a high-scoring game. Fast breaks, excellent defensive pressure, and smart teamwork ensured plenty of scoring opportunities. The team’s patience and persistence shone as they carefully worked the ball around and fought for every possession. Their pace on offence ultimately outmatched their opponents, securing their spot in the State Grand Final with three consecutive wins.

State Grand Final: CMCB def Rowville Secondary School 27-24
In the Grand Final, the girls faced Rowville’s Sports School in an intense and physical battle. The game was tightly contested, with numerous turnovers and both teams fighting hard for supremacy. Strong rebounding, accurate free throws, and forcing their opponents into fouls proved decisive. Despite the pressure, the girls stayed composed and held their ground, edging out a narrow but well-deserved victory.

Our Year 8 Girls Basketball Team has achieved an extraordinary feat, becoming State Champions after an impressive tournament run. Across thirteen games, the team scored a remarkable total of 596 points while conceding just 195 points. Their success is a testament to their hard work, skill, and determination. The team consistently adapted to challenges and performed under pressure, showcasing their resilience and teamwork.

Congratulations to the team on their outstanding achievement, capping off a fantastic year for the Year 8 Girls cohort. A special thank you to Sienna Barnett for scoring throughout the day – your support was greatly appreciated!

TEAM: Macey Pinner, Elodie Sharman, Eva Grant, Sophie McDermott, Lilly Teuma, Poppy Gladstone, Mrs Julie Fennell (Coach), Alexis Arundell, Mia Cox, Molly Beasley, Mia Wardell

Intermediate Girls

On the way to Melbourne, the bus was buzzing with excitement, as sharing the time and space with the Year 7 and Year 8 Girls teams was an opportunity to connect with others with the same passions and motivations.

The Intermediate girls team were grouped with teams from Albert Park College, St. Helena’s College, as well as Trinity College Colac. Seeing the talent of the other teams, the girls knew they were in for some fierce competition, as soon as they hit the court.

The first game was against Albert Park College and the intensity increased from our regional games as predicted. An arm wrestle early on saw the team head into the halftime break, just 2 points down. The focus on a fast re-start and working hard defensively was proving effective and was well led by Charlize Pinder, whose elite running endurance was shining through. Unfortunately, a lapse in concentration enabled Albert Park to gain an 8-point lead. As much as the girls tried; to claw the deficit back they were unable to reel them in, going down 35-32.

A quick re-group between games saw the girls focus on making sure they finished the day off on a high, mathematically it was still possible to make it to the Grand Final but they had to win the next two games.

A very flat start by the girls in the second game put the girls 21-10 down by halftime. An adjustment in defensive structure for the second half saw the girls play rejuvenated team basketball. Lacey Nihill’s physicality around the contest and Lexie Fennell playing through some significant knee pain inspired the girls to victory, reeling in an 11-point deficit – Including 7 points to 0 in the final 90 seconds – to come home as 1-point victors!

Riding the high of Game 2, the girls were clinical in Game 3. Team captain, Mia Harvey, played her strongest match of the tournament, demonstrating a will to win the ball like no other. At half time the girls held a 10-point lead. Looking at other match results on the adjacent court, the girls knew that percentage was going to be a crucial factor. So, the bigger the winning margin the better, as there was still hope for a finals berth after all. The girls dug deep and ran out 8-point victors 35-27. Albert Park then lost to St Helena’s by 2 points, meaning that 3 teams had finished on the same amount of points.

The girls awaited the final results anxiously. The three-way tie could not have been tighter, with Albert Park finishing on 106%, St Helena’s 105% and CMC 104%, meaning that sadly, our journey was over. The girls should be so proud of their efforts and the fabulous way they represented the College. Well done girls!

TEAM: Ciarah McDermott (Assistant), Rhylie Jones, Lexi Fennell, Rhylee Pollock, Mia Morris, Mr Josh Hann (Coach), Lacey Nihll, Mia Harvey, Charlize Pinder