Final chances were shattered at the weekend, after all local teams across the region were eliminated in the Country Basketball League (CBL).
After a triple-digit performance in round nine, the Wallan Panthers’ Men progressed to the semi-finals at the weekend, taking on the Albury Cougars at the Jungle.
The Cougars scored first, making a strong statement in their finals quest.
Both Wallan and Albury were hindered by fouls, causing a series of stoppages.
But it wasn’t game over for the Panthers, who refused to let the setbacks deter them, continuing on to fight and level the score 18-18.
The third quarter ended in a 56-56 tie, and a similar scoreline was mirrored at the close of the final quarter, with Albury’s Jack Saunders producing a three-pointer to level the scores 79-79.
The tied score meant both teams needed to head into overtime.
Wallan’s Ryan Philippe delivered a crucial two-pointer for the Panthers, bringing them within two points of Albury during the final seconds of the match.
Although Wallan was hoping to make it to the finals, with Philippe adding the last point, Albury proved to be the better team with a 88-90 win.
Wallan coach Scott Baillie said Wallan’s foul shots were a missed opportunity in the tight contest.
“Both teams brought everything that they could,” he said.
“Unfortunately, it was one of those things that Albury seemed to come away with, they knocked down the shots that was needed for themselves.
“Probably what hurt us was not being able to make some of our foul shots, which could have probably closed out the game a little early, and not allowed it go into overtime.”
Reflecting on the short season, Baillie said the side had ‘definitely stepped up’ from last season, with a mix of younger and older players working together.
“The way that this team actually came together as quick as they did was awesome as a coach—that’s what you sort of plan on every single season,” he said.
“For the guys to come together as quick as what they did, then able to actually translate that onto the court as well was really good, and that actually made the job a lot easier for myself moving through the season.
“Some of the other teams we’ve come up against are probably a bit more matured … so for a young group to do what they’ve done, it’s definitely shown more promising signs for the future as well.”
For Seymour, it was also a close game on Saturday that progressed the Wodonga Wolves to the grand final against Albury.
The final match for the Blasters took place at the Seymour Sports and Aquatic Centre, where the side caught up to the Wolves during the second quarter.
But despite their best efforts, the Wolves crept forward, holding a narrow lead at half time, 35-36.
Seymour’s Thomas O’Connor opened the third quarter with a two-pointer, but both teams continued to accumulate fouls, causing frequent interruptions.
Tensions spiked on the court, the nature of the high-stakes game proving every move critical.
With the score 49-49 at the end of the third quarter, it was Seymour’s last opportunity to make finals happen.
Pushing his team closer to the top, Seymour’s Patrick Green sank the first three-pointer of the fourth quarter. The rest of the squad followed suit, adding to the lead with a mix bag of baskets.
However, after several fouls from both sides, particularly from Seymour near the final buzzer, Wodonga seized the opportunity to slip back into the lead, securing finals with a 69-78 win.
Despite the loss, Seymour’s CBL season was a remarkable one, marked by several triple-digit performances and just three losses in the shortened season.
Women
It was a similar situation for the Wallan Panthers’ Women, who ended with a 78-64 loss to the Myrtleford Saints on Saturday.
The Saints quickly put their finals caps on, building a commanding lead in the first quarter.
The nine-point lead set the tone for the rest of the match, but Wallan refused to back down.
Halfway through the third quarter, the Panthers put their foot down, making back-to-back three-pointers, positioning the side within six points of the Saints.
But Myrtleford responded with a quick two-pointer on the scoreboard before the quarter buzzer sounded.
After securing their lead in the fourth quarter, the Saints will now go head-to-head with Albury this Saturday.
Coach Mick Schultz said a longer season would have made a difference, but overall, the season saw great leaderships and skills from the team.
“I’m really pleased with the effort that the girls put in, and the development and the growth they had over such a short season—we only played nine games in total,” he said.
“If it was a longer season, I think we would have really come together more and been really pushing [sides including] Wodonga and Myrtleford.
“The wins that we had we fought out. We had a one-point win and a two-point win, and they’re sometimes the hardest wins to get.
“When the other team comes back and pushes you, it can be quite difficult.
“But the girls showed a lot of resilience and some good leadership from some senior players, and it was encouraging for the whole season.”
