The Hume City Broncos have overcome a huge scare to take game two and the State Championship Grand Final series by a thrilling two points. The Falcons led by as many as 15 at one stage, and went into the final term 13 points in front, but the Broncos rallied and pinched the win on their home floor.

The Falcons second and third quarter was as good as we've seen this year, outscoring the Broncos 56 to 29. They were aggressive, attacking and showed why they were genuine contenders. But, as has been the story for the Falcons all year, their first and last quarters were as if another squad was playing. They were only able to score six points in the first term, and only five in the last.

And this is where the Broncos did their damage. Katrina HIbbert was dominant yet again, finishing the game with 26 points and 12 rebounds. Her partner in hoops, Sharin Milner was equally impressive, finishing the game with 21 points.

For the Falcons, Laura Thomas was Waverleys best, double-doubling with 19 points and 17 boards. Brooke McKay backed up her impressive game one finishing with 16 points.    

The Falcons were huge in the paint, out-rebounding the Broncos by nine and outscoring them 40 to 26 under the basket. They shot better from the field and from the three, but let themselves down from the stripe, connecting on 12 of 22. The Broncos on the other hand made the most of their free-throws, getting to the line 19 times for 16 points.

The Broncos have been unstoppable all season, and the Falcons have been a worthy adversary. And although the best team on the season walked away with the title, the Falcons may always wonder what may have transpired on Sunday, had they got over the line

Finals MVP: Katrina Hibbert

 

 

The Diamond Valley Eagles have swept the Waverley Falcons convincingly in the Youth League Men Division One Grand Final series, taking game two by 24 points and the trophy along with it.

The game was blown out in the second quarter, with the Eagles heading into the half-time break with a 17 point lead. The Falcons wouldn't make any appreciable inroads from this point on, with Diamond Valley storming away with the win and the championship.

Chris Arkell has been doing all the damage, and the Falcons did a good job of containing him — he finished with 11 points and 10 boards. But like all good teams, if one scorer is down, they find others to step up. Simon Bradbury finished the game with 29 and 10 boards and Steve Viterbo was also impressive, finishing the game with 21 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists. 

Diamond Valley were better from the field and had more scorers in the paint.

For the Falcons, Drew Dexter-Kernich did his best to keep his squad in touch — he had 21 points and nine boards — while Daniel Wilkins finished with 17 and Matt Dettman had 15.

For the Eagles, the win caps of their dominant season in 2009 where they really were the benchmark for the competition.

Finals MVP: Simon Bradbury