NETBALL
GIPPSLAND STARS
By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT
THE stars aligned at the State Super Netball Series, as the Gippsland Stars claimed premierships for both its 19 and Under and 17 and Under sides.
Back-to-back titles were reached for the oldest junior team, reviving an early deficit to defeat Waverley, 56 to 47 in the 19U Division 1 Grand Final at Waverley Netball Centre.
Gippsland Stars 19U lost just one match and drew one more through 13 games in the lead up to the big dance, with Waverley the closest to the local side, setting up an anticipated matchup.
Waverley opened well, controlling the game for a majority of the first half.
Getting down by as much as seven goals in the early stages of the second quarter, the Stars rebounded with five minutes spare in the opening half, rallying with a 7-2 run heading into the main break.
Both sides continued to go back-and-forth as play resumed, only for Gippsland to manage a few extra goals through to three quarter time, giving them a three-goal edge.
The Stars now had regained their mojo, and pushed their lead to its largest as the game concluded.
Lara Noblett was recognised as the grand final best-on-court, finishing with 30 goals on a ridiculous one missed shot (96.77 per cent efficiency).
AS for the 17 and Under Gippsland Stars, they were made to work for their premiership a little bit more.
The younger Stars won in miraculous fashion, with a goal after the siren from Mia Ballinger securing them the win over Chelsea, 47-46.
Nothing could separate either side throughout the opening quarter, with the scoreboard reading 11-all at the first break.
Gippsland began to break away ever so slightly during the second term, jumping out to as much as a six-goal lead in the middle stages of the period.
In the final five minutes of the first half, Chelsea went on a 9-2 run to hit the front and lead by a goal at halftime.
When play resumed, it was Chelsea again who continued its momentum, pushing ahead by as much as six goals early in the third quarter.
The Stars dug deep however, rallying so well that they went back ahead in time for the final break.
Much to the same as how the game had already played out, it continued to fluctuate.
Gippsland led by five goals during the fourth quarter, but that quickly reversed and Chelsea went back ahead with just two minutes remaining.
Ballinger scored, before Chelsea’s Saskia Dennis responded twice, only for Ballinger to counter with the final two scores, including one dropping through the net as the final siren rang out.
Ballinger was awarded best-on-court in the grand final, finishing with 23 goals.
The 19U Division 1 Grand Final team was: Mackenna Whiteside, Lainey Downie, Chloe Johnstone, Sophie Scott, Tyla Peters, Chloe Felsbourg, Lexis Schade, Lara Noblett, Ciara Fitt, Reagan Joyce and Matilda Pendergast.
The 19U Division 2 Grand Final team was: Olivia Pearson, Mahli Stothers, Maya McDonald, Heidi Allen, Ava Langley, Sianna Wilkinson, Isobelle Scott, Mia Ballinger, Miley Schade, Maizy Duck, Tanna Boyle and Brooke Cahill.
