The Under 16.3 Boys have repeated their success at the Australia Day tournament with another Grand Final win at Adelaide, team manager Don Samulenok sent us this report from the weekend.
Round 1 of the tournament began for us with a game against North Adelaide 4. Despite having made the long trip to South Australia, our boys started strongly – up 10 to 5 at the first quarter and 17 to 8 by half time. Adelaide 4 regrouped and came within 7 points at the 3rd quarter 24 – 17. Waverley 3 replied with another 10 points in the final quarter to win their first game 34 to 23. A good start.
Round 2 the next morning we faced Blackburn 3 on a slippery surfaced Port Adelaide court. In a very physical match Waverley 3 was up by just 2 points at the half - 14 to 12. Our boys were on the receiving end of some tough play with our Point Guard Mark Reich coming off with a dislocated shoulder. With only 3 and a half minutes remaining Waverley were down 24 to 21. The lead changed several times until a buzzer beater by Blackburn 3 earned them just 2 points to trail by 1. Final score Waverley 3 by 30 to 29.
Round 3 that afternoon saw a gutsy Mark Reich return fully fit to play despite his injury that morning. In a rather one sided match Waverley 3 led by a healthy margin at each quarter and cruised to a 33 point win over Camberwell 4. Final score 50 to 17.
The Semi-final match that evening saw Waverley 3 facing Waverley 2. The same match up we had in the Grand Final of the Eltham Dandenong Tournament earlier this year. This time Waverley 2 got the early jump and drew ahead with some quick moves. An early time out by called by our Coach Fau-zii and some well chosen words put the boys back on track as they lifted their intensity to take the lead over Waverley 2 in the second quarter. The second half saw Waverley 3 continue to power ahead with some truly inspired play by Xavier Morgan who, it seemed, couldn’t miss the basket. Final score 54 to 25 put the boys into the Grand Final the next night.
After a long Easter Sunday the team showed up at 9pm to meet Adelaide 4 in the Grand Final. The venue - Centre Court of the Adelaide Arena – home of the 36ers.
The chance to play in such a magnificent venue only added to the boy’s pre-game excitement. It was clear that Waverley had come to play. Their desire and intensity was evident from the tip-off through to the final siren. Adelaide 4 played well and came back at us in the 3rd quarter but Waverley’s lead from the beginning was never relinquished. Every player stepped up and gave their best – a true team effort. Final score Waverley 47 to Adelaide 28.
The team returned home with trophies in hand and some great memories.
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