Under 18 Girls Win Country Champs

February 20th and 21st saw Traralgon play host to the highly anticipated basketball Victorian Country championships for the U16 and U18 men's and women's  division 1&2 tournament.
After a disappointing elimination in a div1 semi final in 2015, the Storm girls and their Coaches had set their sights on a more successful tournament in 2016; despite being mostly a bottom-aged U18 team this year.
Bellarine U18 girls went into the weekend seeded 3rd, with some tough competition in their pool; Traralgon, Ballarat and Geelong; then crossing over with Wodonga and finally Mildura. The weekend was to provide some tough competition and high quality, close games; many of which finished within 2-3 points of each other.  The Storm girls went on to win all 6 of their games; finishing with a comfortable win against Mildura in the Grand Final game; 47-24.

Game 1 on Saturday morning was against Traralgon who despite being seeded 8th, were favourites for the weekend, with most of their team making up the 2015 VC championship team of LaTrobe. The 2 teams were well matched, with even contributions from both sides. It was a low scoring, defensive game, with Bellarine winning 35-32.

Game 2 saw Storm just too strong and quick for an 11th seeded Shepparton. With all Bellarine players contributing and an impressive 16 steals for the game, Storm won 52-14.

Game 3 Saturday night saw Bellarine take on their neighbors Geelong, seeded 5th. Geelong had a tough start with Bellarine winning the 1st quarter 12-3. Despite a push from Geelong in the 2nd, Bellarine went on to win the next 2 quarters, finishing strong in the final quarter 12-4. It was a chance for the Storm girls to play some quality team basketball, with plenty of assists all around; finishing with a comfortable 36-21.

Game 4 early Sunday morning against a physically strong, mostly top-aged Ballarat side began with great energy; with Storm capitalizing on some early steals. Despite the physicality of the game and the attention given to the Storm post, the girls maintained their high energy and found options to score; with all players once again contributing. Despite Ballarat's 4th quarter push, Bellarine finished strong, 49-35.

Game 5, the semi final against Wodonga on Sunday lunchtime was to become Bellarine's closest and most exciting game for the weekend. It quickly became a very physical contest against a well-matched Wodonga side. Despite trailing for the game, Bellarine fought back in the 3rd and saw the 4th quarter a level game. The feel throughout was of a grand final, with high energy by both teams and only 4 Bellarine players scoring for the game. With 10sec left in the 4th and a time out called, Bellarine trailed by 2. With Storm in offense, the play was hatched  for a 3 pointer, but quickly foiled by Wodonga's defense; seeing instead, Bellarine's tall making the 3 pointer from the corner to take the lead by 1; with 1.8sec on the clock. The girls held tight to their lead to win 34-33; making the Grand final that afternoon.

Game 6, the Grand final vs. the number 1 seeded Mildura.  If coaches or parents had concerns about the Storm girls maintaining intensity, concentration or energy levels after their close semi final win, they needn't have. Bellarine's intensity from the start seemed to take a weary looking Mildura side by surprise. Though Mildura fought back, the Storm girls seemed to shift gears and increase intensity so as to never really look in doubt for the win. With the Bellarine talls dominating the boards and the guards capitalizing on some tired passes, Storm finished strong 47-24.

Overall it was a challenging, exciting and successful weekend for Bellarine Storm U18 girls, their coaches and their Club they so proudly represented. 




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