Norths claimed its second Waratah Championship Men’s title in three years at Maitland on Sunday, defeating traditional rivals Sydney Comets 100-85 in a hard fought grand final match-up.

In a repeat of the 2012 championship where the Bears prevailed on the same court against the same opponent, the Bears claimed control of the decider early and despite a spirited comeback by the Comets in the third quarter, the depth and defence of the premiers was key in claiming the 15 point victory.

Led by Sydney Kings power forward Tom Garlepp and with Erik Dorbek playing a key role on the front-line, Norths led by as much as 20 at one stage and after holding off the Comets as they surged to within four points in the third, the champions maintained a double figure buffer throughout the final quarter.

Garlepp was superb all weekend, leading the Bears to a 83-73 semi-final win with a 23 point, 13 rebound performance and he followed that with 31 points in the decider to stamp his mark as the premier front-line player in the competition.

Versatile small forward Erik Dorbek was another to show his class on the big stage to finish with 18 points and provide plenty of match-up problems for the Comets, while dual championship player Nic Blair stepped up with some big plays at crucial times.

In Saturday’s semi-final, it was club stalwart James MacCann who led the way, harassing high scoring Sutherland guard Daniel Sepokas and making key plays off the high pick and roll to provide invaluable support to Garlepp and 2012 finals MVP Ryan Thompson.

The victory provides Coach Ben Knight and his team two championships in three years and cements their position as the most consistent teams in the competition in recent years with 60 wins during the Knight tenure.

Given the team played the finals weekend without reigning MVP Jarrad Weeks and young stars Fabijan Krslovic and Dan Young, the championship victory was even more impressive by the hard working Bears outfit.

 

The Norths Youth League Men finished with the minor premiership and progressed to the championship decider with a hard fought 76-67 victory over rivals Comets, before falling to Manly 92-76 in the final.

After enjoying a stellar regular season, the young Bears had 6 players in double figures in an impressive semi-final performance, with experienced campaigners and long term team-mates Darcy Emery and Daniel Jones leading the charge and Jock Jenson playing a key cameo off the bench with his perimeter shooting.

Injury and foul trouble were both issues in the decider against local rivals Manly, with the Sea Eagles claiming the championship with a 92-76 victory.

The final was a physical affair and with key front-line players Lewis Holey and Matt McElhone both restricted by injury, it was always going to be tough against a Manly outfit that enjoyed a day out at the 3 point line and had too many options for the young Bears.

Emery was again superb at the point and received strong support from Mike Golding, who led the Bears with 21 and went to work on the glass at both ends of the floor. McElhone tried valiantly, as did Jones, but it was not to be and after a fantastic year, the Bears had to be content with the runners-up medallions.

 

A 31 point haul from Renae Garlepp was not enough to get Norths home in the Waratah Championship Women’s semi-final, with the front-line of the Hills Hornets dominating the paint en route to a 83-68 victory.

With former college stand-out Kate Oliver and veteran forward Jamie Samuels leading the way up front, the experienced Hornets outfit took hold of the contest early and despite the best efforts of Garlepp and coach Natalie Stafford, the Bears could not contain the scoring and finished a highly successful year on the wrong end of the ledger.

Garlepp finished an outstanding season with yet another 30-plus point haul, while Stafford chimed in with 17 points.

 

The Norths Bears will celebrate a highly successful 2014 season with their annual presentation night on Saturday, September 13. All players, coaches, managers, volunteers and supporters are welcome to attend. For more information, contact NSBA on 99067877 or e-mail us.