Sherbrooke Suns vs. Waverley Falcons
Saturday 16/8 Waverley Basketball Centre - 7pm
POST-game at their May 25 meeting, in which Waverley escaped with a two-point home win, both coaches admitted that a Waverley vs. Sherbrooke grand-final was what they were hoping for.
Be careful what you wish for, because an eventful 12 weeks later and the coaches have their match-up.
The two highest placed and most in-form teams of Youth League Two ready to do battle in game-one of their best-of-three series starting 7pm on Saturday night at Waverley Basketball Stadium.
In what will be their sixth, seventh and possibly eighth meetings, dating right back to the pre-season grand-final, both teams will have done their scouting and are no doubt familiar with the strengths, weaknesses, sets and tendencies of their opponents.
Home court advantage, which Sherbrooke secured two weeks ago with a 111-90 win on their home floor, could be pivotal.
Sherbrooke, criticised for their mid-season lack of defence, have bought into coach Jason Manton’s adjusted philosophy, their swarming defensive presence restricting their last 10 opponents to an average of 83ppg. Meanwhile, Waverley rode their league-best 11-game midseason win-streak into a top two finish.
Inside and outside, intriguing duels are everywhere.
Waverley guard Michael Dettmann (9.7ppg, 5.5rpg, 1.5ast, 0.9stl) will have his hands full with Sherbrooke’s David Black (20.3ppg, 5.7rpg, 3.9ast, 2.8stl).
Black, who has posted 11 20-point outings, had a season-high of 44 points before finals and holds the keys to the Sherbrooke offense.
MVP nominees Josh Allison (20ppg, 9rpg) and Andrew Kelly (18ppg, 12rpg) will shoulder the inside responsibilities for their respective squads while Elias Polioyiannis and Sherbrooke hot-hand Jon Ball will look to stretch defences and bomb from outside.
Aaron Stirton (6.5 ppg, 4ast) and James Denton (16ppg, 4ast) will be running their respective squads from the point-guard position.
Waverley will feel they must hold at home to have a real shot of taking the title.
The Suns should also realise the importance of the occasion and could take a huge step towards the Championship with a Game one victory.
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