STATE CHAMPIONSHIP MEN
Waverley 69 defeated Diamond Valley 66
With the atmosphere electric and the players pumped, the stage was set for an unbelievable matchup between two very evenly matched squads. From the jump, the Eagles shot the lights out, seemingly unable to miss from downtown as they connected on 5 triples in the first quarter as the margin threatened to balloon out going into the second.
Waverley came back hard, chipping the lead back slightly behind some better D that limited the outside shooting opportunities Diamond Valley got. Coming out of halftime, Waverley looked energised behind their parochial crowd. They fed off it and grabbed the quarter by the scruff of the neck, tying the game up going into the last quarter. That’s when Platenik, Threatt and the crowd got going. With players diving over loose balls, chants of defence reverberating around Waverley Basketball centre and teams trading baskets, it was Waverley who were triumphant by the final whistle in one of the best games of the season in SCM.
After a quiet first quarter, Ivan Platenik exploded in the second and made a huge impact, putting in 16 points and 14 boards while Sedale Threatt ignited the crowd and Falcon offense, putting in 13 points and 5 rebounds in a dazzling display. For the Eagles, Tom Burns and Adam Moore both collected 17 points and will need to get some more help if they are to salvage this series as they head home, now trailing 1-0.
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP WOMEN
Hume City 73 defeated Waverley 70
The last time these two met, the Falcons blew the Broncos out of the water. They looked classier, better drilled and simply more skilled. That game was clearly fresh in the minds of Hume City who were ready to play before grinding out a tough 3 point victory in front of their home crowd.
After an arm-wrestle in the first quarter which had Waverley leading by 3 points, 20-17, the Broncos offense looked not dissimilar to a well oiled machine as they recorded 21 points on 60% shooting as well as 6 assists as they took a 5 point lead going into the change rooms at the long break.
It was a lot of the same in the third quarter, as the Broncos put in another 19 points, but Waverley weren’t going away easily, managing 18 points themselves. The stage was set for a cracking last quarter and despite Hume City managing only 32% from the field, they held the Falcons off who missed 5 of 10 from the foul-line.
As has been the case all season for the Broncos, the scoring was divided. Lisa Troyahn posted 14 points and 6 rebounds with Stephanie Elizabeth Clark and Ellie McLean with 12 points each. For the Falcons, Laura Thomas stood up with 14 points and Suzie Porter was in direct support with 13. Waverley now have all the pressure on them to deliver as they host the Broncos next week in Waverley.
Photos by Melissa Sudero: www.melissasuderophotography.com.au
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