Roos’ Women are the 2014/15 Premiers on the back of a gritty, “never beaten” performance against pre-match favourite Millicent last Wednesday night. Roos halted the Cougars/ Panthers’ dominance of the senior Women’s scene by claiming their first ever premiership in the South East Coast Basketball League and their first since the 2000/01 season.

On the other hand Bulldogs continued to be the bench mark for the Men’s SECBL as they stamped their name on the 2014/15 summer season with a class performance and comprehensive win over a gallant Panthers-Wizards.

A large enthusiastic crowd witnessed a fantastic night of entertaining basketball.

In the build up to grand final night, the Millicent Women easily defeated Panthers in the second semi-final to take a firm grip on a grand final spot two weeks ago. In contrast, the Roos Women had to account for Cougars in the “knockout” semi-final and then defeated Panthers to earn the chance to challenge Millicent for the summer title.

The first quarter of the Women’s final was played in a defensive mode with lots of possessions but limited scoring. Roos led 11-7 at the first break.

Lauren Ross, Rachael Hines and Chantelle Weir opened up a 7 point lead for Roos only to see Millicent’s Alex Walker cut the margin to 4 at half time.

Walker led Millicent’s charge to lead for the first time in the game forcing Roos’ Coach Malcolm Allen to call a time out. Millicent continued their run as Olivia Fuller shot truly from the foul line to present a score-line of 29-23. Roos talented junior duo Ross and Olivia Dukalskis stepped up to close the gap to two at three quarter time, 29-31.

Roos continued the surge and led 39-33 until Millicent sharp shooter Erin Watson closed the margin to three and then went on to reclaim the lead with three minutes left on the clock.

Roos showed composure and resolve as hard working Ashlee Kalantarian levelled the scores on 41 points. In the final minute State junior Lauren Ross was superb, making steals through clever anticipation and then shooting accurately from the foul line to restore the lead in Roos’ favour.

Kalantarian then sealed the premiership for Roos by scoring the last four points and a score of 49-43. State junior Alex Walker scored a game high 17 points while Ashlee Kalantarian’s efforts and 14 points earned her the Most Valuable Player of the Grand Final.   

The Men’s final between minor premier, Bulldogs and Panthers-Wizards, who pulled off an unexpected win over Roos in the preliminary final, started in a similar vein to that of the women when both sides were cautious to a degree. At quarter time Bulldogs led 14-11. Chris Mason scored the first basket of the second stanza as he did to open the game and Simon Berkefeld replied to record a one point margin three minutes into the quarter. The game then took on a new look in the next three minutes as the flood gates opened for Bulldogs. The Berkefeld brothers, with state junior Lachlan Hunter, took their team on a 10-0 run, a half time score of 44-26 and hence a firm grip on the premiership.

Wizards persevered as Bulldogs continued to dominate from the perimeter in the third quarter, this time through Stephen Sochacki. At three quarter time Bulldogs led 63-42.

Midway through the final quarter Bulldogs surged to a 68-45 score-line, the biggest margin of the game. Wizards were determined in their efforts as they played the game right out to the final siren for a final score of 78-59. Simon Berkefeld finished with a tally of 22 points, brother Matt with 18 and Sochacki with 15 led the scoring for the Bulldogs squad, which had several other consistent scorers as well.

It was a different story for Wizards; Chris Mason manfully shouldered the scoring with a game high 23 points while Michael Stephens made a gutsy return from injury to score 13 points and in a relatively quiet game State junior Brad Rathjen, scored 10 points.

Simon Berkefeld was named Most Valuable Player of the Grand Final.

Presentations to the winning teams and individual award winners were made by City of Mount Gambier Deputy Mayor, Penny Richardson following the finals.

Both premier coaches, Malcolm Allen (women) and John Pulford were emotional in their reviews of the season, praising their players for their commitment and team performances.