In a match of unparalleled junior talent vs increasing age, the wisdom of great hindsight, fading memories of experience and "the pink panther", the Under 14 VC Superstars were devastatingly accurate from 3 point range and drove over the line to beat the aging Arm Chair Experts who inexplicitly failed to deliver - for the first time in their lives if you believe the bravado before, during and after the game!

 

Ably led by the scoring machine Peter "re-Cycle" Horne the Arm Chair Experts were also relying on the shooting prowess of ex-power house (and by ex we mean EX!) Peter "3 point - Mate I just shoot it" Kaplandjian, that rebounding giant Dale "gasometer" Smith (memories of that great North Melbourne FC super forward immediately sprang to mind when Dale put his shirt on) , our two fleet footed guards Anthony "graceful with air balls"

 

Dickinson,and Michael "Put 'em under Doc" Kirton, as well as our masterful shooter Mark "Magic" Stanton and the defensive strength and steals of Mike "Pink Panther" Rogan. While there was some good scoring including a couple of long range 3 pointers by Peter "3 point - Mate I just shoot it" the ACEs were under pressure after moments on the court.

 

The Aging ACE started with great strength and drive and scored the opening goal or two.

With height and body mass clearly on their side, the ACE didn't not display a moment of compassion towards the smaller and younger team who found the "wall of dads in defense" an almighty challenge (I mean, we've played U-14 Broadmeadows, but even they look short when Dale Smith takes to the court)

 

But as with all things, the patient and talented U-14 Superstars KNEW the opening stamina displayed by the Aging Ace would be, at best, short lived (albeit long remembered...much like the proverbial fish that got away) and that timing was everything!

 

The opening of the second quarter provided multiple opportunities for the U-14 Superstars to claim the court, the pace and scoreboard of the game as the momentum shifted with ACE after ACE begging for a brief substitution to catch their breath! Not even the late decision to throw an injured Min "No I can't possibly play - where's a shirt?" Simankevicius into the game helped.

 

In a moment of sheer desperation, Coach Kaplandjian found a NEW "Aging Arm Chair Expert" in fit and fast Jack Pertzel (U-16 Falcons) who took to the court as the Great White Hope of the breathless ACE! (Alledgely replacing John "Couldn't we have just played golf?" Pertzel: the official scorer) The youngest ACE offered coordination, speed, ball handling skills and a good shooting technique to the team: most of the other ACE's had dispensed with all that years ago!

 

ACE Coach Taleen "take no prisoners" Kaplandjian lamented at the lack of rebounding and her able assistant Jo "get the ball" Stanton commented "you need to make some baskets boys". Alas, their inspiring efforts fell on deaf ears apparently, or are those guys so old maybe they didn't hear the instructions?

 

The Superstars were well led by Point Guard Charlie " catch me if you can " Smith in a disciplined team leader role running his troops and knocking down baskets including a big three early in the game to set the tone. Pat " just try to take me on" Stanton and Carter "pass, shoot, score " Dickinson shocked the huge grandstand crowd with their hard running baskets and Pat's successful 3 - we hadn't seen anything like it all season and I mean all season!!!!. We're talking about a team that were injured or recovering from injuries for most of the season but obviously can turn it on for the big occasion; and what could be bigger than bragging rights over their dads for the next 12 months?

 

Abe "drive and score" Kaplandjian (the kid hits the floor more times than a basketball but bounces back harder) showed that he could drive, elude and score against the ACE defense with consummate ease and wasn't afraid to knock down a three as well. Likewise Remo " you ain't seen nothing yet"Simankevicius made it look easy, as only he can, with some good shooting and deft ball handling.

 

Max " just watch me" Pertzel seemed to be everywhere defending everything rebounding (against opponents twice his height and girth) and bringing the ball up in attack. Chris " my ball, my ball " Kirton looked classy all night and couldn't be stopped. Mitch "madman" Horne decided that with his twin brother injured on the sidelines he'd have to not only rebound at both ends of the floor but put in a few hard drives to the basket as well.

 

In an all out desperate effort in the last minute by the ACEs', all 9 players took to the floor, which did not turn the tide of defeat (but caused fascinating confusion when the Superstars elected to "man up" for the first time in a very long time!

With the final score showing a comfortable 17 point lead by the Superstars, the ACE gracefully accepted the condolences of their younger (and far more fit) opponents.

 

Our formidable ref's Ms. Natassia "the laughing assassin" Smith, who smiled whenever she called a foul and Ms. "Technical" Taylor Dickinson lasted a full 5 seconds into the game before rolling around in paroxysms of laughter at the antics of the players (the kids obviously, it couldn't be their own parents could it?). Winning Superstars coach Barbara Dickinson commented "The kids had a ball, and the young Falcon Superstars did too!"

 

In a classy piece of penmanship Homer's lliad was replaced by Ode to the Falcons (although not quite as long!) by our own Poet Laureate Ruth Horne to the enjoyment of all during our aftermatch celebrations - a classy little restaurant, good food, a few drinks, good company and some happy young Falcons. A good way to finish the season.

 

Special thanks to all who came along to support and especially our sports photographer Mandy Smith.

 

Final Observations of the "Final": 

"It takes a man to know when he's beaten, but let's face it boys... we were robbed" (ACE)

 

"Great things come to those who wait, run, pass, shoot and rebound"

(SUPERSTARS)

 

"The basketball singlet, much like the SPEEDO, is best left to the young"

(the Mums)