Year 7 Girls and Intermediate Girls in State Basketball finals

SCHOOL SPORT VICTORIA – STATE FINALS

Basketball

On Tuesday 14 November, our Year 7 Girls and Intermediate Girls Basketball teams were keen for some epic action at the SSV State Basketball finals. With all games played at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre, both teams expected to face some quality opposition and were desperate to make an impression.

Intermediate Girls

The Intermediate Girls’ campaign was off to a tough start when one player was unavailable due to injury and another player was struck with illness at the last moment. The first game against Lavalla Catholic College proved their concerns to be well founded as it was a hard and physical encounter, as Lavalla had some terrific quality players. Despite their efforts, the girls eventually went down 33 to 47, where the difference in the scoreline did not necessarily reflect the competitiveness of the game.

Game 2 was against Western Heights Secondary College. This was another tough match against a high-calibre team. The girls gave everything they had, but with only one player on the bench, it was soon obvious that the effort to stay in the game was taking its toll. The girls put up a great fight but were eventually defeated 39 to 19.

The final pool match was against Box Hill Secondary College. This was a great game with both teams exchanging points throughout, as neither could get a decent break. As the game progressed, the entertainment factor increased. 3-pointers were scored as both sides tried to gain the ascendency. With just minutes on the clock, Box Hill managed to affect a couple of critical turnovers that resulted in them gaining a 4-point lead. Sadly, the CMC girls were unable to find the basket in the last minute of the match and went down 39 to 35.

Although the girls did not win a game on the day, their work ethic was brilliant, and their gameplay was entertaining to watch. Congratulations girls on making the State Finals and representing the College with pride and determination.

TEAM: Mia Morris, Lexie Fennell (Scorer), Mia Harvey, Lacey Nihill, Ciarah McDermott, Charlize Pinder, Lila Kelly, Jaida Raco, Mr Bryce Curnow (Coach)

Year 7 Girls

The Year 7 Girls started the day brilliantly against Lowanna College. The match was even for most of the first half, however after the break, the girls came out firing and built a lead that they were able to sustain for the rest of the match, going on to win 27 to 17.

Game 2 was against Strathmore Secondary College. In this game, the girls starred with a flurry of points to establish a lead early. This start set the team up for the match as they played some brilliant basketball. They worked exceptionally well together, and all members of the squad gained some valuable court time., In what was a great reward for some fantastic teamwork, the girls won 44 to 17.

The girls knew they had to bring their best game to the final pool match, which was against Rowville Secondary College, a renowned sporting academy school that always plays a tough and competitive style of game. Although the match began evenly poised, the girls began to establish a lead once they started to transition the ball from defence to attack with speed. They worked hard at defence and were rewarded offensively as they managed to grow their lead in the final five minutes of the game to secure a fantastic win 47 to 31 to finish top of their pool and gain a place in the State Final.

The State Final was played against Mount Ridley College. It was a tough game right from the start, but the girls scored early, as they transitioned the ball well down court. However, Mount Ridley were determined and replied immediately by asserting themselves under the post. It soon became obvious that they were going to be a formidable opponent, and the girls were in for a fight. The first half was reasonably even, but Mount Ridley slowly built a lead while the girls worked overtime to keep pace with their strong and well-drilled opponents.

In the second half, the girls went one-on-one with their opposition’s two main players, and this tactic worked for a while, but the girls just couldn’t land a basket to capitalise on this great work. As the match progressed, Mount Ridley were able to take control and establish a match-winning lead. At the final siren, although the girls had lost the match 41 to 15, they had accomplished an outstanding result across all the stages and levels of competition.

It is an incredible achievement to finish as the SSV State Runners Up, Congratulations girls!!

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