2019 UNDER-18 CHAMPS AND KEVIN COOMBS CUP RECAP- DAY 6

For all the information from Day 6 of the competition including draws, ladders and top performers, click here.

The Kevin Coombs Cup ladder is taking shape with the last group stage games to be played today before Semi-Finals get underway at night while the Under-18’s are also headed into the Semi’s following a couple of thrilling Quarter-Finals on Day 6.

After falling just short in the gold medal game last year, WA are on their way to move up one spot on the podium with a 4-0 record through the group stage.

They took care of QLD South in the morning on Day 5 before backing up against NSW to move to the top of the table but Vic and QLD South are still hot on their heels with 3-1 records.

The first-placed team at the end of the group stage this afternoon will take on fourth place while second will face third ahead of the medal games on Saturday.

There is a similar feeling building across the Under-18 men’s and women’s competitions with Vic Metro set to battle NSW Metro in the Semi-Final of both competitions today.

Vic Metro already dealt with one half of their neighbours to the north with wins over the men’s and women’s NSW Country teams in the Quarter-Finals but the women had a real fight on their hands, needing overtime to eventually prevail 65-60.

Chyra Evans (16 points) hit the shot to send the game into the extra period and Sara Matthews added 17 points off the bench but a concerted effort from Charlise Dunn (13 points, eight rebounds) and Gemma Potter (11 points, seven rebounds) got them over the line despite Vic Metro only shooting 29% from the field.

Vic Country proved too good for WA Metro in their Quarter-Final while QLD South beat the hosts, QLD North, in a derby that drew a rowdy and entertaining crowd.

That means Vic Country, who claimed bronze last year, will today meet QLD South, who only finished eighth in 2018, at 5pm.

For the men, NSW Metro have set up a meeting with Vic Metro after a nail-biting three-point victory over QLD South.

Producing all tournament, Mojave King (36 points) and Blake Jones (18 points, 16 rebounds) were big again but they could not match the offensive output of Biwali Bayles (38 points on 15-27 shooting) and Joshua Pain (21 points) as NSW Metro held off a late charge to win 91-88.

The other Semi-Final for the men will be played between Tas and SA Metro as they dealt with Vic Country and QLD North.

This is Tas’ second consecutive Semi-Final appearance while SA Metro are back in the top four for the first time since 2016 after finishing tenth last year.

For all the draws, results and LiveStats, click here.

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Results and top performers from Day 6 of the 2019 Australian Under-18 Championships and Kevin Coombs Cup being held in Townsville, Queensland.

The post 2019 UNDER-18 CHAMPS AND KEVIN COOMBS CUP RECAP- DAY 6 appeared first on Basketball Australia.