National champs crowned

Jump: Cpl Gill Rutledge, NSW, contests with Flg-Off Fiona Harris, ACT. Photo by Cpl Peter Borys

NSW women’s and men’s basketball teams have taken home the National Championship trophies for the third and fourth time respectively following competition at RAAF Base Williamtown.

The women’s final was first with last year’s finalists ACT and NSW meeting – and ACT ready to gain revenge for their three-point loss last year.

But NSW Captain, LAC Heather Edwards said her team had the advantage going into the final with plenty of subs to rest players.

“Considering ACT had only one person to fill their bench, we were confident that if we played a running game we would come out on top,” she said.

And that is exactly what happened. Fuelled by some stellar shooting from Pte Kelly Nelson, NSW grabbed an early lead and headed into the first break leading 22-17, which increased to 34-26 at half time.

ACT had little left in the tank at three-quarter time trailing 45-38, however, they managed to draw a fifth foul on LACW Edwards leaving NSW without their point guard for the remainder of the game. ACT then mounted an impressive come back to level the scores with three minutes to go before fatigue got the better of them and NSW came out on top 61-53.

LACW Edwards praised the ACT women for their efforts and said, “It’s was such an enjoyable grand final and everyone had an impact”.

In the men’s final it was another hard fought battle between NSW and Qld, but Qld were unable to stop NSW becoming four-peat champions.

NSW Men’s Captain, Cpl Aaron Marsh said his team was pumped as they took the floor.

“We came ready to play. The new guys were a bit nervous before and during the warm up period, however when it was game time they all came to the party,” he said.

The first period was low scoring with NSW leading 15-10 at quarter time, before Qld muscled their way through the second quarter, but struggled to contend with NSW’s depth and went into half time down 37-24.

The third quarter provided some spectacular highlights with a massive baseline dunk from Lt Judson Rui, however, NSW had the game in the bag at the three-quarter time break with the scores 61-46.

Cpl Marsh led his team in the final term with 16 fourth quarter points to bring the final score to 88-69 and hand NSW the championship cup.