Day 8
Men’s Play Off 5th / 6th
SA Country 82 lost to SA Metro 88
The SA Country boys kept up with their Metro counterparts for the first term with Munzberg having a good impact, and the SA Country defence causing a headache for the Metro team. An eight point contribution by Sapwell saw SA Metro take a 12 point lead into the half time break. Into the second half it was obvious the legs were tired and the consistency of scoring was decreasing for both teams, with the turnover rate escalating as the game went on.
SA Metro applying defensive pressure throughout the game, were not giving Country an inch. Country were adjusting well on most occasions, finding their way through the half court zone much better than the Metro against Country's zone. The advantage for SA Metro in that their ability to hit the perimeter shot gave them more depth, with acknowledgment to the scoring ability with Sapwell. Country made their move outscoring SA Metro in the second half, with a highlight being a near dunk by Country’s Scott, but even that wasn’t enough in the end to get them over the line, and Metro’s first half seeing them come out winners.
Statistical Leaders
| Points | Rebounds | Steals | Assists | |
| K. Matthews-Hampton (SAC) | 21 | 2 | ||
| M. Scott (SAC) | 10 | 9 | ||
| K. Sapwell (SAM) | 21 | 1 | ||
| D. Crook (SAM) | 25 | 3 | 2 |
Women’s Play off 9th/10th
New Zealand 65 defeated Northern Territory 62
NT were in a tight race to the finish line, New Zealand were out for redemption. NZ attacked the NTs man defence with ferocity. Taking a 13 point lead in the first term, NT were not going to be left behind and started the chase. Levelling out to an 11 point lead for Tasmania at half time with Abel making her consistent contribution for the week. From the NT end, Cubillo and Swan were delivering solid numbers and putting pressure on the NZ zone through good penetration and outside looks, and defensively they were applying an extended man, putting pressure up the floor forcing NZ to look at their outside shots or penetration but NZ we're struggling to find the ring.
The scores were close throughout the second half and NT conceded the lead to a hungry New Zealand team off the back of a big three by Hermaia. NZ being up for the first time in the quarter. NZ were able to hold their nerve and end their week with a win, finishing 9th and the NT girls still making history.
Statistical Leaders
| Points | Rebounds | Steals | Assists | |
| K. Heremaia (NZ) | 15 | 13 | 3 | |
| E. McGoldrick (NZ) | 12 | 9 | ||
| A. Cubillo (NT) | 13 | 5 | ||
| F. Swan (NT) | 24 | 3 |
Men’s Play off 7th/8th
Vic Country 84 defeated ACT 54
A disciplined Vic Country team took care of business early against an inconsistent ACT team who were getting opportunity to score but not finishing, shooting at just 14% from the perimeter and 37% of field goals. Vic country applied the defensive pressure up the floor which saw a high conversion rate, taking the half time score to 39 to 21.
With the score not reflective of the ACT intensity the Vics were having to work to find the score and beat ACT bigs to get second effort opportunity. The absence of Cooper was felt, as had been having a good championship, and the ACT team were not able to reduce the half time gap, and seeing Victoria Country finishing 7th for the week.
Statistical Leaders
| Points | Rebounds | Steals | Assists | |
| M. Vekic (VICC) | 19 | 15 | ||
| N. Catherwood (VICC) | 8 | 2 | 4 | |
| M. Colton (ACT) | 14 | 5 | 2 | |
| B. Doran (ACT) | 11 | 1 | 2 |
Women’s Play off 5th/6th
Vic Country 64 defeated NSW Metro 39
NSW were unable to put up much of a contest on the scoreboard against the last game for the home team. Vic Country were still unable to land the baskets consistently inside, but had found their perimeter game, shooting 56% from the 3point line. A high turnover game with both teams neither team made use of the opportunity to convert and continued to focus on their half-court game. Vic Country played a zone and NSW Metro were not able to find the scoring options on the interior and their perimeter not delivering much at all, they had little impact on the scoreboard. Victoria continued with their on ball screen activity and whilst they were getting to the basket, the shots were not there, and the game ended up being a little untidy. It was good to see Vic Country girls take a win home on their last game of the Championships.
Statistical Leaders
| Points | Rebounds | Steals | Assists | |
| D. Markwell (VICC) | 12 | 8 | 3 | |
| C. D'Angelo (VICC) | 9 | 10 | 2 | |
| M. Yates (NSWM) | 12 | 4 | 2 | |
| E. Carroll (NSWM) | 6 | 4 | 3 |
Men’s Play off 9th/10th
QLD South 71 defeated WA Metro 65
A close contest with the score going point for point in the first. WA Metro applying a full court press saw QLD look out of sorts and WA’s Martin doing a good job to keep QLD’s Gazibegovic away from offensive boards when rushed shots were being put up. The key looking crowded from the physical contest for the boards, it was hard to know who to stop.
A period of transition baskets brought WA a lead by 9 points in the first break, finished off with a spin layup by WA’s Peter.
The game looked to be heading in WA favour but a run by QLD in the second quarter saw the game swing with Qld breaking into the lead. The contact had definitely stepped up as the game became very heated. QLD began to make full use of their shot clock as the last few minutes of play unfolded, ensuring a guarantee basket as their scoring option but also ate the clock down.
Statistical Leaders
| Points | Rebounds | Steals | Assists | |
| T. Fullarton (QLDS) | 34 | 6 | ||
| J. Patton-Croker (QLDS) | 8 | 9 | 3 | |
| A. Kamatsu (WAM) | 16 | 2 | ||
| K. Berry (WAM) | 17 | 5 | 2 |
Women Play off 7th/8th
Australian Capital Territory 49 defeated by South Australia Country 58
ACT girls got out to a great start scoring well and holding SA Country to just 8 in the first quarter. ACT set the pace and SA Country were up for the challenge. ACT were continuing to use their structure for the best shot and the SA Country girls were doing well to manage the inside scoring using their zone. Smart work by ACT guards were able to break the gaps and equally find the open shooters and allow some shots to drop to keep ahead of the SA girls. Into the third quarter, Tasmania had built a lead of ten points through this good play but SA Country brought the scores back level after turnovers from a tired Bourne were swiftly converted by SA’s Masclet.
Back on a level field, the final quarter was anyone’s game. The game played out with SA Country downing much needed points off transition and although turnovers were rampant as both teams contested in defence, SA Country were able to hold onto a 2 point lead and add to it, finishing the game 58.
Statistical Leaders
| Points | Rebounds | Steals | Assists | Blocks | |
| I. Bourne (ACT) | 8 | 3 | 6 | ||
| T. Fernando (ACT) | 8 | 6 | |||
| T. Gray (SAC) | 10 | 2 | 2 | ||
| S. Paech (SAC) | 10 | 9 | 2 |
Women’s Bronze Medal
Vic Metro 50 lost to NSW Country 47
Vic Metro unable to find the ring from the perimeter for the early part of the game shooting at less than 15% they were relying heavily on Magbegor to secure the offensive rebounds. When Magbegor got the ball she proved to be a scoring machine and the answer was for NSW to make sure she didn’t see the ball. NSW man played tight and switched to a zone intermittently to limit second effort scoring of Victoria. In their offensive end, to beat the bigs, NSW were focused on securing the rebounds and converting to points. Simmons was sensational from the start, and by games end had taken 17 rebounds and 5 assists finding the open man.
The Victorians were able to bring the game back within range but another explosive period in the third by NSW saw them finish the quarter in front by nine points. The final term started shaky for Victoria Metro with transition offence not delivering and on ball screen action not opening up shot options, but the defensive pressure they were applying in their full court press work was causing havoc for the controlled guards in NSW Country, and after a timeout by the NSW coach, Victoria came out with Conti dropping a huge three pointer to followed by a solid 2pt jump shot by NSW’s Matthews, levelling the scores, where it remained for over 2 minutes. With three minutes left to go Magbegor secured 2 points to see Vic Metro over the line, so they thought, but Simmons again stepped up taking a steal to make a layup but fouled and forced to go to the line with scores level. Simmons made the foul shot and transition saw Vic Metro attempt a score, giving up another rebound for NSW whose transition quickly delivered the additional two points that would win them the game. Vic Metro had a side line opportunity but unable to convert, New South Wales took Bronze.
Statistical Leaders
| Points | Rebounds | Steals | Assists | |
| E. Magbegor (VICM) | 10 | 12 | ||
| M. Conti (VICM) | 7 | 6 | 4 | |
| J. Simmons (NSWC) | 16 | 17 | 5 | |
| E. Matthews (NSWC) | 12 | 2 | 1 |
Women’s Play off 11th/12th
Tasmania 64 defeated WA Country 52
Tasmania drew first blood knocking down a three point shot but just as quick, WA were able to score in the return offence. Tasmania applying a full court man made little impact early in the game but were able to slow the transition game of WA Country down. Abel, for Tasmania found her shooting arm from the perimeter and continued to knock WA defence about with some great shots, assisted by Mole who scored ten points of her 18 in this quarter, and before long the gap between the teams was ten points. With a week where Tasmania have been heavily reliant on the work of Mole and Abel, they would call on them to step up one last time as the WA team closed in on their lead, who had reduced the lead from 16 points, but not able to get under seven, Tasmania came out victors.
Statistical Leaders
| Points | Rebounds | Steals | Assists | |
| T. Mole (TAS) | 18 | 12 | ||
| R. Abel (TAS) | 22 | 3 | 3 | |
| C. Anderson (WAC) | 9 | 14 | 3 | |
| E. Burke (WAC) | 6 | 9 |
Men’s Play off 13th/14th
WA Country 52 lost to Northern Territory 63
Northern Territory pulled out to the early lead in this game, and after spending a week of near misses, the NT got away with a flying start, leaving WA behind with a score of just 6 for their first quarter, and a lead of 15 points. WA Country responded in the second term scoring 17 points, but still unable to close the gap. By the third quarter, WA were looking for answers but with a conversion of shots at 28% for the game it was clear that it was going to require a big step up in defence. With a lead of 22 points at the third quarter break, NT could have thought they were in the clear, but WA dug deep and Germ went to work making a big impact for his team, but it wasn’t enough and NT were finally rewarded with their impressive work rate this week.
Statistical Leaders
| Points | Rebounds | Steals | Assists | |
| J. Murray (WAC) | 18 | 2 | ||
| D. Ballantyne (WAC) | 10 | 5 | 2 | |
| W. McClay (NT) | 14 | 7 | 5 | |
| M. Rowse (NT) | 21 | 6 |
Men’s Bronze Medal
New Zealand 64 defeated NSW Metro 59
These two teams are a good match up, and the game was always expected to go to the wire. The game started in style with NZ’s Naboa sinking the first points from the 3 point line. New Zealand continued to score, but were held on nine points for five minutes which allowed NSW Metro to take the lead, but NZ responded with Waardenburg breaking the drought and sinking a foul shot.
The second quarter was tight, with the teams low scoring and New Zealand managing to take a small lead into the half time break. Third quarter was a similar story and NSW were not able to break the scoring cycle of NZ, still chasing them down. It was early in the fourth that NSW were able to level the game, but that wasn’t as New Zealand’s Clinton sunk another shot to keep the lead. The quarter ended with free throws and with a result of 14/22 New Zealand had the goods, taking home Bronze.
Statistical Leaders
| Points | Rebounds | Blocks | |
| S. Waardenburg (NZ) | 20 | 18 | |
| Q. Clinton (NZ) | 21 | 4 | |
| C. Adup (SAM) | 15 | 10 | |
| J. Gregg (SAM) | 6 | 8 | 2 |
Men’s Playoff 11th/12th
Tasmania 69 defeated QLD North 61
QLD North were locked into a tight contest with the Tasmania team with the physical size of Kilby a little too much to hold back at times for the QLD team but that wasn’t the only issue. QLD struggled to value possession of the ball, giving up 16 turnovers, which Tassie made use of, in their own way. Not restricting their self to transition fast breaks, Tasmania continued to set themselves up in their offence. QLD were struggling against the Tasmanian press, which was eating time off their shot clock as well as forcing them to turn the ball over and make poor decision shots. QLD tried a press also paying off occasionally but usually too athletic and misjudging the steals, they left gaps in the defensive court. QLD struggled with the WA bigs, getting caught up in the box out offensively with their guards not covering the permitter efficiently, and they were further exposed in the rebounding. Into the last quarter Qld were looking for their bigs, but they had also found range and were staying within ten points but WA continued to shoot and despite missing, their team were effective at securing the rebounds and making full use of them, securing 17 points off them. This saw Tasmania hold out to win the game 61-69.
Statistical Leaders
| Points | Rebounds | Steals | |
| T. Armstrong (TAS) | 31 | ||
| K. Paul (TAS) | 4 | 14 | |
| J. Matysek (QLDN) | 7 | 10 | 1 |
| R. Runnalls (QLDN) | 12 | 9 | 1 |
Women's Play off 13th / 14th
QLD North 44 lost to WA Metro 63
A low scoring game where ball movement was key. QLD were mixing up their defences to keep the WA size under control and this gave them strength on the boards, but WA worked how to break down the defence, forcing more changes. WA were looking a little more polished in their offence and the patience would pay off. Both teams had a high turnover count, but WA ran their transition more efficiently, converting the opportunity into points 19 points across the game, against QLDs’ 10 point. By half time, the work had started to pay off, with WA having a lead they could catch their breath on, but would need to lock down if they didn’t want QLD to come back at them. The final quarter saw this happen, with QLD dominating the quarter scoring at 19 points and holding WA Metro to just 9 points. Even with this great effort, the previous three quarters left too much work for QLD to recover from and WA Metro won out.
Statistical Leaders
| Points | Rebounds | Steals | Assists | |
| M. Carey (QLDN) | 7 | 5 | ||
| H. Andrews (QLDN) | 8 | 5 | 2 | |
| R. Thomson (WAM) | 10 | 7 | 2 | |
| M. Satie (WAM) | 9 | 13 | 2 |
Women’s Gold Medal
SA Metro 60 defeated QLD South 54
For the first time in over ten years, Vic Metro were unsuccessful in making the grandfinal, with an unbelievable game from SA Metro to win through. This should be a sign that SA Metro are a talented pool of athletes. Offensively SA were in good stead to put points on the boards, but defensively their size sometimes saw them a little slow in the adjustment, however, Simons was good with securing steals and converting for the SA team. Qld were struggling to find a score in the third unable to penetrate the big defence of SA, they were relying on driving against the bigs and drawing fouls.
SA Metro went on a scoring spree late in the third term where they built a lead of 13 points, having come off a 25 point quarter, and as the points kept adding on, QLD South were not able to keep up, able to put a few more scores on the board, not able to bring the scoreline back under 6 points and seeing SA Metro take home the gold.
Statistical Leaders
| Points | Rebounds | Steals | Assists | |
| D. Rees (SAM) | 8 | 18 | ||
| S. Simons (SAM) | 21 | 3 | 4 | |
| J. Fuiava (QLDS) | 13 | 11 | 3 | |
| M. Motuga (QLDS) | 11 | 5 |
Men’s Gold Medal
Vic Metro v NSW Country
The first points dropped for both teams by the 20 second mark of the game, with NSW the first to show their exterior scoring power. Vic Metro were struggling to find their scoring power for the game, but NSW were on fire, knocking down 28 points from the perimeter for the game, it was as if they couldn’t miss. Victoria Metro were under the pump like they hadn’t been all game. The lead extended to 24 points at one time, and roped back in with several turnovers and transition baskets from Vic Metro, including a banked 3pt shot by Bines to reduce the gap to 18 points, but demanding a huge fourth quarter of the team.
The fourth quarter saw some great highlights with NSW’s Zunic making a penetration and dish to Dent on the backcut, and without much effort, NSW had pushed the lead over Vic Metro back out to 20 points. The game might have been called over at that point, but a succession of made 3pt shots saw Vic Metro back in touch with NSW, making 5 from 8 on the perimeter, the scoreline narrowed to just seven points with 1.08 on the clock. However, lady luck was not in favour for Vic Metro and NSW proved the hard work does pay off, having maintained a high work rate throughout the game they earned the title of 2014 Australian Junior Champions.
Statistical Leaders
| Points | Rebounds | Steals | Assists | Blocks | |
| M. Barry (VICM) | 12 | 6 | 3 | ||
| B. Griffiths (VICM) | 12 | 5 | 2 | ||
| L. Dent (NSWC) | 19 | 6 | 3 | ||
| K. Zunic (NSWC) | 18 | 5 | 2 |
SPC dated 2 July 2014 and accompanying forms 1, 2, 3 & 4 for Josh Hill (2014-2015).
