By James Woite

 

Men

 

Matthew Lycett scored 5 points in the final 45 seconds to help the Norwood Flames hold off the fast finishing Woodville Warriors 68-64 in the men’s Second Semi Final at Mars.

The Warriors led for a matter of 37 seconds all night, but when Darren Ng scored a tough bucket with 1:11 remaining the Warriors were level, despite trailing by 14 points earlier in the quarter. With a 20-6 run, momentum had swung the way of the Warriors.

Yet it was the Flames who scored six of the final eight points of the match, with two baskets coming off the hand of Lycett. Prior to the final 45 seconds, Lycett had made just 5-15 shots, including 0-7 from beyond the arc. During that last quarter of a minute, Lycett went 2-2 from the field and made his only trey of the night.

After Lycett’s initial two to put the Flames back in front the Warriors appeared set to level. Fraser Gehrich got into great position close to the hoop, only for Jack Jennings to get a quick hand in to knock the ball away from the big Warrior preventing another tie. At the other end, Andrew Webber attacked before finding an open Lycett who found the bottom of the net from long range.

Down five, Ng missed a triple before fellow Warrior Ian Nixson snared the offensive rebound and was fouled by Jennings. Nixson made both free throws, reducing the Flames’ lead to three with six seconds left.

Forced to play the foul game, the Warriors sent Jacob Holmes to the line, who caused some nerves for the red and the blue by missing the first three throw. By slotting the second, Holmes made it a two possession ball game, as the Flames advanced to their first Grand Final since 2011.

Holmes, with 22 points and 8 rebounds, finished as the game’s high scorer. Lycett picked up 19 points and 12 rebounds, while Daniel Webber contributed 10 points.

The Flames forced the Warriors into 21 turnovers, but only committed 13 themselves. They also made it to the foul-line on 12 more occasions.

Ng had 15 points and 9 rebounds for the Warriors, while Nixson added 11 points and 7 rebounds off the bench. Cameron Wilson (10 points) made it three Warriors with double figure points. Mitchell Creek, who scored 36 in the Qualifying Final win over West, sat on the bench in uniform for the Warriors, but did not enter the game.

The Warriors will play Sturt in the Preliminary Final.

 

 

Women

 

 

The win for the men’s side made it the perfect night for Norwood Basketball Club, with the Lady Flames also advancing to the women’s Grand Final, following their 68-48 defeat of the North Adelaide Rockets.

 

The Flames, who will play in their fourth Grand Final in five years, held sway all night, but after leading by 12 at half-time, the margin was just seven points with a quarter to play. During the first minute of the fourth period, the Rockets blew two opportunities to get closer, whereas the Flames scored three points as a result of offensive rebounds in their first two possessions.

 

From the 8:46 mark until the game, the Flames always led by at least 10 points. The Flames’ offence was full of weak-side action, leading to interior passes and close range shots. At the other end, the Flames’ defence did a terrific job of keeping the Rockets away from the basket. The Rockets’ offence was full of static dribbling and jump shots, rather than passing and penetration. As a result of the discrepancies in style and execution, the Flames got seven fourth points from Elizabeth Keane and 6 from Rebecca Duke, while the Rockets could only manage six points as a team.

 

Flames player-coach Jessica Foley ended the match with 16 points and 6 rebounds, while Duke had game-highs of 15 rebounds and 9 assists, to go with her 10 points. Other double-digit scorers were Taylor Ortlepp (13 points, 5 rebounds) and Marisa Stabile (10 points, 6 rebounds).

 

The Flames shot 40 per cent, gathered 46 rebounds, and committed 17 turnovers. In contrast, the Rockets shot 30 per cent, were held to 35 rebounds, and gave the ball away 20 times.

 

For the Rockets, Jo Hill was the only double-figure scorer, finishing with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Jamie-Lee Peris matched Duke’s rebounding output, but was held to 8 points. Shannon McKay scored 9.

 

The Rockets will meet South in the Preliminary Final, in a rematch of the Qualifying Final.