With the Falcons leading the series 1 – 0 it was time for the Eagles to step up and avoid being swept on their home court, and they didn’t disappoint. Down by 3 points at three quarter time Diamond Valley poured in an impressive 34 points in the final quarter to even the series. The Eagles caught fire in the final term connecting on 54% of their shots including a couple from 3-point range.

 

Adam Moore starred again for Diamond Valley with yet another double-double (20 points, 10 boards) and with some crucial play at the dying stages of the game. Waverley’s free throw shooting was below average and contributed to their slow in momentum. Only converting 57% from the stripe let them down in crucial stages of the game.

 

With the series now tied at 1 -1 it comes down to the final game on Sunday to decide the State

Championship final positions. Can the Falcons turn the momentum around and find a way to topple the Eagles on a Sunday afternoon? Or will it be Diamond Valley continuing their form from the final quarter of game 2 and carry on their hot shooting. Only time will tell as both of these sides seasons rides on the final game of the semi-final series.

 

The stage was set for a showdown between two of the powerhouses of State Championship Men to book a place in the finals. The crowd was pumped for a fast scoring game were not disappointed with 45 points being scored in the first quarter alone. Waverley looked determined to push the floor and take advantage of the speed they posses but Diamond Valleys defence was solid.

 

With the Eagles up by 5 at half time the momentum swung in the third quarter and Waverley started to steal the show. Waverley shot at 58% from the field in the third term creating a 2 point lead heading into the last. Waverley learnt from the previous night’s game and started making free throws putting in 85% of their attempts. The final term saw the Falcons open up the biggest lead of the game to eventually win by 6 points. Diamond Valley’s shooting disappeared in the last quarter converting on 35% of their shots and not connecting on a single three pointer. Waverley on the other hand kept their cool and made some clutch free throws to seal the game.

 

Adam Moore again top scored for the match with 23 points to go alongside 7 rebounds. While Simon Blennerhassett top scored for the Falcons with 20 points while Ivan Platenik once again was impressive with a solid 17 points and 7 boards.

 

With their spot booked on the finals the Waverley Falcons now have the task of playing the

Ringwood Hawks, the dominant side of the league. For the Eagles it’s the end of another season with a good finish on the table but unable to progress through to the finals series.

 

 

 

The Diamond Valley Eagles have taken a giant leap towards their championship aspirations with a comfy 24 point victory over Waverley on Saturday night.

The Eagles signalled their intentions early on, posting a 20-7 opening quarter as they scored with relative ease and stifled the Falcons offense. The story was the same for the next two quarters until they unloaded their bench in the fourth that saw a pretty equal final term with the game sewn up.

 

Despite rolling his ankle the previous week, Arkell dominated. Despite playing only 28 minutes, he posted 23 points and 12 rebounds and was seemingly unstoppable. Matt Reynolds was on point as well, drilling in 15 points, 7 boards and 4 assists in a great cameo role.

As for the Falcons, they fought valiantly despite missing the irrepressible Kernich-Drew for the

second half of the season. Daniel Wilkins fired for Waverley with 18 points as the Falcons look to 2011.