NSW keep winning basketball

By Flying Officer Fiona Harris

FLGOFF Marcus Bailey is thrown by FSGT Jamie Auld, President of Judo Federation of NT, at RAAF Base Tindal.

From left: SQNLDR Allan Cooper, FLGOFF Marcus Bailey, Kelly Fong, ranked No. 1 in Australia, and FSGT Jamie Auld, President Judo Federation, Northern Territory, during the titles held at Tindal.

Above: REC Jackie Mardini performs a lay-up over CPL Sharee Baker.

Photos by CPL Peter Borys

AFTER a long week of competition at RAAF Base Williamtown, the NSW womens and men’s basketball teams have taken home the National Championship trophies for the third and fourth time respectively.

First up was the women’s final. With scars still showing after a heartbreaking loss to NSW by three points in last year’s final, ACT came to the tournament ready to play and were undefeated heading into the championship game.

NSW captain Leading Aircraftwoman 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 they did. Fuelled by some stellar shooting from Private Kelly Nelson, NSW grabbed an early lead and headed into the first break leading 22-17 and increased the lead 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 Leading Aircraftwoman 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.

Leading Aircraftwoman Edwards said rebounding was a key issue for NSW and getting in there and hustling made the difference.

“It was such an enjoyable grand final and everyone made an impact. ACT women endured a long week with a short bench. To come out undefeated and remain consistent is an achievement,” she said.

It was another hard-fought battle between NSW and Queensland in the men’s championship game, but Queensland were just not good enough to stop NSW becoming champions for the fourth consecutive year.

NSW men’s captain Corporal Aaron Marsh said his charges were pumped and ready to go 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 a fairly low scoring affair with NSW leading 15-10 at the quarter-time break. The Queensland big men muscled their way through the second quarter but struggled to contend with the NSW depth and went into half-time down 37-24.

The third quarter provided some spectacular highlights with a massive baseline dunk from Lieutenant Judson Ruig. But while it was pretty to watch, it looked like NSW had the game in the bag at the three-quarter-time break with the scores 61-46.

Corporal 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 for the fourth year in a row.

“Everyone said we had the strongest team at the tournament and there may be some truth in that, but Queensland were strong, if not stronger,” Corporal Marsh said.

“We gelled extremely well on and off the court and the new guys just wanted to play and learn as much as they could, and they played awesome. There was a lot of heart in the NSW squad this year.”

Corporal Marsh said the team’s outlook for the next couple of years was much the same and he hoped NSW could take it to six consecutive premierships in a row.

The competition was completed with a presentation function. Gerry Mann of BAE Systems presented the trophies to both winning teams and the leading scorers for the tournament.

The Patron of the Australian Defence Force Basketball Association (ADFBA), Commodore Allan Du Toit, was unavailable to attend due to a short-notice call- out. He passed on his encouragement to all teams and wished all grand final teams the best in their attempts to win the championship.

The ADFBA thanked major sponsors BAE Systems and Tenix for their ongoing support to the ADFBA.”

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Award winners

Most Valuable Players
Private Kylie Gaurino (VIC)
Captain Andrew Olechnowicz (VIC)

Highest Point Scorers
Flying Officer Fiona Harris (ACT)
Captain Andrew Olechnowicz (VIC)

Players’ Player
Leading Aircraftwoman Heather Edwards (NSW)
Captain Andrew Olechnowicz (VIC)

 

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