WAVERLEY’S Andrew Kelly topped all youth league players in 2008 to claim MVP honours after carrying his side to the brink of the championship in an incredible 17-win regular-season.

 

While Kelly fell agonisingly short of team glory, his individual accomplishments will allow the agile Falcons forward to look back at 2008 with a sense of pride.

 

Kelly, who began the year with 14 double-doubles from his first 17 games, was unstoppable as Waverley formed a double-digit win streak and held on to top spot for most of the season. With Kelly working hard down low and Brad Kelleher controlling the tempo on the perimeter, the Falcons enjoyed a formidable one-two punch which had opposition coaches searching for answers.

 

Kelly was awarded the trophy after finishing the year with averages of 17.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists and more than a steal a game while shooting 48 per cent from the field and 65 per cent from the line. With a hunger for the offensive glass, the 19-year-old Falcon led the league in offensive rebounds with 119 for the year.

 

Kelly’s most impressive outings included a 20 point, 19 rebound game against Sherbrooke to kick off the season, a 33 point, 16 rebound haul against Whittlesea, a 14 point, 24 rebound performance against Bendigo.

 

With age on his side and a desire to avenge the grand-final elimination of 2008, Kelly and the Falcons have a bright future to look forward to.

 

Kelly emerged as the most valuable player for 2008 ahead of Bendigo’s Matthew Bongetti and Latrobe City’s Marc Goodwin.

 

 

All Star Guards: Benjamin Bowman Latrobe City Energy (19.8ppg, 9rpg, 3.2apg), Marc Goodwin Latrobe City Energy (22.7ppg, 7.7rpg, 4.1apg)

All Star Forwards: Matthew Bongetti Bendigo Braves (22.4ppg, 5.9rpg, 2.8apg), Andrew Kelly Waverley Falcons (17.4ppg, 12.4rpg, 1.4apg)

All Star Centre: Andrew Freeman Keilor (15.5 ppg, 13.5rpg, 2apg)

All Star Coach: Pascal Marion Latrobe City (The Energy finished fourth on the YLM2 ladder with 16 wins and six losses)