The Illawarra Hawks ended Newcastle’s unbeaten home season at the last hurdle last night, stopping the Hunters 81-71 in the Waratah Basketball League grand final at the packed Newcastle Basketball Stadium.
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For more photos from the game, by Herald photographer Ryan Osland, click on the image above.
The Hunters had won 13 from 13 games at Broadmeadow throughout the season, including a 79-60 victory over last year’s champions, Manly, in the semi-finals on Saturday night to qualify for the decider against the Hawks, but could not complete a perfect season on their own floor.
The steel city rivals were locked at 19-19 after the first quarter then the Hawks blew the game open with a 31-14 second period to take a commanding 50-33 lead into half-time.
It was the only quarter Illawarra won, as the Hunters outscored the visitors 15-14 and 23-17 in the final two terms, but that was where the damage was done.
The Hawks shot nine three-pointers in the first half and 12 for the game and Hunters coach Darren Nichols conceded that was where the game was won and lost.
‘‘It was just disappointing that we couldn’t contain them in that first half,’’ Nichols said.
‘‘They shot 53per cent of their three-point shots and it doesn’t matter how good your defence is, it’s hard to stop a team when they shoot 53per cent of their threes.’’
Illawarra led 71-50 with just under seven minutes left in the final quarter but the Hunters rallied with a 12-0 run in a four-minute burst to pull within striking distance, trailing 71-62.
Adoc Makwai’s running lay-up with 23 seconds remaining cut the deficit to 77-71 but that was as close as the Hunters came.
‘‘We won the second half by 10 but unfortunately that wasn’t enough,’’ Nichols said.
‘‘To give away 81 points on our own court, that was our worst defensive display of the season, and for it to happen in the grand final, we’re gutted.
‘‘But I said to the boys, it doesn’t matter what happens, we never give up, and the boys showed that all the way with some heart and hustle to get it back, but our worst enemy was the clock. We just ran out of time and I had no time outs left.’’
American Ryan Klein played his best game in Hunters green, scoring a team-high 24 points, pulling down 12 rebounds and grabbing five steals before fouling out with 13 seconds left.
Wollongong Hawks National Basketball League squad members Dan Jackson and Tyson Demos were equal game-high scorers with 26 points each and combined to hit nine three-pointers from 16 attempts.
Jackson was judged most valuable player of the grand final and Demos was named defensive player of the game.
‘‘The cream rose to the top tonight and Jackson and Demos showed why they’re in an NBL side,’’ Nichols said.
‘‘They executed well and full credit to them.
‘‘But I’m extremely proud of our blokes. It’s been eight months of hard work and we made it to the last dance, so I couldn’t have asked for anything more, only the win.’’
Though he was contained to 10 points last night due to early foul trouble and Jackson’s tight marking, Hunters big man Marcus Vanderheide was named the WBL season MVP and was included in the league’s All Star Five.
It was the second straight season the Hunters had provided the league’s MVP after Vanderheide’s friend and former Michigan school-mate Nick Freer won it last year.
Completing a rare double for the Hunters, Newcastle’s Katie Ebzery was named MVP of the women’s WBL competition, was included in the All Star Five and was the league’s leading scorer.
Illawarra fought back from a 25-22 half-time deficit to beat the Hunters 60-56 in the Youth League women’s division two grand final yesterday.
Eventual champions Central Coast Crusaders eliminated the Hunters 68-35 in the Youth League men’s division one semi-finals on Saturday morning.
