2019 UNDER-16 CHAMPIONSHIPS RECAP- DAY 7
For a full recap of the Day 7 games as well as the draw and top performers, click here.
Vic Metro have a chance to repeat their success from last year when they claimed the double with their boys and girls teams both advancing to today’s gold medal games.
The girls were pushed all the way by NSW Metro in their Semi-Final despite a 25-10 opening term setting up an 11-point win.
Nyadiew Puoch (21 points, three steals) and Tess Heal (17 points) did the hard yards early but there were a few nervous moments late as Tenayah Logan and Rose Nelson combined for 32 points in a gutsy effort from NSW Metro.
The Vics will take on another undefeated team in SA Metro who will be looking to add further pain to the state to their right after getting past Vic Country in their Semi-Final.
The lead changed hands eight times through the contest and was all tied up at three-quarter time.
Georgia Koopman then gave Vic Country a two-point edge but consecutive three-pointers from Tayla Brazel (18 points) broke the contest open as SA Metro went on a game-winning 12-0 run.
Koopman knocked down two three’s of her own late to finish with 14 points, ten rebounds and three steals but the damage had been done as they fell 62-66.
SA Metro finished with four starters in double-figures including an incredible performance from captain Izzy Borlase who had 16 points, 16 boards, five assists, three steals and two blocks.
Winners in 2014, SA Metro will now be aiming to upset Vic Metro who are chasing their fourth consecutive title.
Despite their disappointment from today’s result, Vic Country can still claim their third straight Under-16’s medal in tomorrow’ bronze playoff while NSW Metro can improve on last year’s result when they lost the bronze medal game to QLD North.
For the boys, Vic Metro got past SA Metro in an emotionally-charge 74-60 result.
Leading by only three points at the final change, Vic Metro put together a 27-16 final quarter which included a 16-2 run that finally gave them some breathing space.
Kristian Ferronato paced them with 15 points but once again, their bench was outstanding as Tristan Devers and Appolus Magbegor combined for 22 points on 9-15 shooting.
SA Metro’s spectacular run at the Championship has been cut short but they still have a chance to medal for the first time in nine years when they meet ACT for bronze today.
ACT have also broken a drought by making the final four and they will aim for their first Under-16’s medal in eight years after they could not match Vic Country in the Semi-Final, going down 60-69.
They finished with a wet sail but a 9-26 second quarter doomed them despite by the efforts of Lachlan Fitzpatrick (26 points).
Vic Country used a significant advantage on the boards, finishing +10 in offensive rebounds and +8 in points in the paint as well as a 16-4 edge in fast break points to prevail as Jack Hrehoresen (14 points, ten rebounds, six steals) led the way.
They will now be putting their energy towards reversing the result of last year’s final when they fell to their intrastate counterparts in Vic Metro.
In other games, SA Country will be looking to ride the momentum of their nail-biting victory over WA Metro who they defeated 74-72.
The lead went back and forth six times over the last 11 minutes before Alexander Curtis proved the hero with the go-ahead bucket inside the final 20 seconds and Josh Clifton (13 points, eight boards, three blocks) secured the win with a perfectly timed block.
They now meet QLD South for fifth place with classification games played throughout today alongside the medal games.
Tomorrow’s gold medal games will be live-streamed via Basketball Australia’s YouTube channel with Vic Metro and SA Metro meeting in the girls final at 5pm local time before Vic Metro and Vic Country face off for the boys final at 7pm.
For all the draws, results and LiveStats click here.
Basketball Australia
Powered by WPeMatico