Lakers basketballers achieved successes across two states over last weekend. The Lakers’ Men won back to back A Grade SA Country Basketball titles in Adelaide while the Lakers Under 18 Men and Under 16 Girls won A Division titles at the Bendigo “Skin, Ski ‘N Surf” Junior Basketball Classic.

The Lakers’ Men were undefeated in the SA Country Basketball Championships, the Under 16 Girls returned an unblemished record and the Under 18 Men were defeated by Shepparton in their opening game of the Classic, but comprehensively reversed the result in the grand final.

SA COUNTRY BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS.

 The Lakers’ Men secured their third SA Country Basketball A Grade Title in four years at the weekend when they comfortably defeated a persistent Port Pirie, 59-42, in the grand final.

It was a relatively close contest for three quarters but the Lakers finished strongly with an 18-8 final quarter. Simon Berkefeld topped off a stellar weekend with a tally of 23 points and being awarded the Pat O’Keeffe Grand Final MVP Trophy.

In their journey to the Grand Final the Lakers defeated Strathalbyn 55-29, Whyalla 61-53 and Port Pirie 45-32. They then won a tough quarter final over Port Augusta 3-38 and followed up with a 9 point win against arch rival Eastern Hills, 45-36, in the semi-final.

Simon Berkefeld was named MVP for the A Grade competition to scoop the pool of individual awards in this grade.

This performance will prepare the Lakers for a big game against reigning champion, Colac in the semi-final of the Country Victorian Basketball League being played at the Ice House at 8pm on Saturday night.

BENDIGO CLASSIC.      

The Lakers Under 16 Girls and Under 18 Men travelled to Bendigo to compete in the biggest Junior Basketball Classic outside metropolitan areas of Australia. Twenty four divisions of competition were contested through the age groups of Under 12 Boys and Girls through to Under 20’s. Victorian country and metropolitan basketballers participate in the three day Junior Classic.

Coaches Bryan Green (U18Men) and Dan Stratford (U16 Girls) were keen for their respective sides to be challenged by the best Association teams in Victoria and compare their progress and standings. The performances of both teams were outstanding.

The Lakers Girls breezed through their pool games winning all 5 games easily. They defeated Echuca 42-9, Bendigo 34-11, Wodonga 49-18 Warrnambool 53-22 and Traralgon 48-6. Feature of these wins were the strong team work and consistent scoring led by Jordy Adams and three of four team-mates in each game.

The Girls won a spot in the grand final on the back of a strong team win over Sunbury, 47-18. All 8 players scored in this comprehensive win.

The title match against Ballarat however, was a different experience for the Lakers’ girls. It took them the first half to reach the intensity needed to match the tenacity of Ballarat and grab a narrow 4 point lead. From here on Ballarat got to within 1 point at the 3 minute mark only to see the Lakers hang on to a 2 point lead 23-21 until the last 15 seconds when Bella Stratford shot truly from the foul line to give a final score of 25-21. Jordy Adams on 8 and Molly Watson on 6 led the scoring for the Lakers while Bella Stratford was awarded the Team MVP trophy.

The Lakers Under 18 Men took their first game to settle into the high standard of the Division A competition. As a result they were beaten by Shepparton, 49-36, after Shepparton had the upper hand in the second half.

It was a more determined Lakers team which progressed through the remaining 4 pool games recording wins. They defeated Bendigo Gold 48-18, Traralgon 32-23, Mildura 49-35 and Wangaratta 47-32 to secure a place in the semi-final. Kurt Rodis was impressive as he led the Lakers to a 35-29 win over Bendigo Blue and hence a chance to settle the score with Shepparton in the Grand Final. The Lakers turned in a polished team performance for a 30 point turnaround and a 38-21 title win. Lakers’ trio Lachlan Hunter, Zach deWit and Kurt Rodis were solid throughout the weekend and were well supported by team-mates.     

Lachlan Hunter was awarded the Team MVP trophy.      

Participation and success in this top level event will serve as an ideal preparation for the SA Country Junior Basketball Championships in March.