IT’S a Mitchell Shire extravaganza in the Country Basketball League North East Men’s final, with Seymour and Wallan both winning through to the decider on Saturday night.
Seymour will come into the decider in the hottest of hot form, taking care of Albury by a whopping 43 points.
The Blasters’ home crowd was on its feet for a large proportion of the game as they ran wild, outscoring the Cougars by double-digits in each of the first three quarters, before easing to a 96-53 win.
Sitting 14 points up at the first change, the Blasters’ defence was on show in the second term, holding the Cougars to just nine points as the game was effectively done by the main break, with Seymour leading 49-25.
William Stewart erupted for 28 points, while Harry Stones also contributed strongly with 18 points. Tyler Best (13 points) and Robbie Sartori (12 points) also scored in double digits.
Wallan also secured a comfortable victory, putting its foot off the gas in the final term to ease to a nine-point win over Shepparton.
After a tight first quarter which saw the Panthers lead by three points, they erupted in the second term and left RB Robson Stadium rocking with a 32-12 second quarter to lead 49-26 at the main break.
The Panthers continued on their way in the third term to turn for home with a 71-47 lead, and while the Gators roared back to put some respectability on the scoreboard, it was not enough to prevent Wallan from taking an 84-75 victory.
Ryan Philippe scored 24 points, while Jayden O’Brien’s 17 points, Lachlan Lombardo’s 15 points and Dion Stacey’s 12 points ensured the Panthers had too much scoring power.
It opens up an exciting grand final matchup between the two teams, who met in round seven, with Seymour running away with the game in the last term to take a 15-point win after trailing at the last change.
Seymour’s women also took part in the finals, but the Blasters were simply overwhelmed by Albury, restricted to just 27 points as they lost by 48.
The table-topping Cougars was not in the mood to give the Blasters a look in, leading 25-5 at the first change and 50-10 by half time, before easing to their 75-27 win.
Chloe Dimkopoulos led the way against the tide, scoring nine points, while Kasey Lennox added eight.