BASKETBALL

CBL

BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

 

FINALS time has arrived for the Country Basketball League within Gippsland.

A duo of Latrobe Valley sides will be eyeing a grand final spot in a week’s time.

At the very last moment, Moe were able to shoot above reigning premier Pakenham to gain top spot on the men’s ladder ahead of finals action.

The Meteors claimed victory over the Warriors on Sunday, 107 to 90, at Latrobe Leisure Moe, completing a run of 10 straight wins with their only loss coming in Round 1 against Warragul.

Moe avoid having to play the team that nailed their sole blemish, at least in the semi final round, as the Meteors take on Maffra this Saturday at Latrobe Leisure Moe.

Despite seeking to rebound from an upset semi final loss last season to Warragul, Traralgon couldn’t even reach the knockout stages this time around.

Sitting just a game above Maffra entering the final round, the Eagles won both their matches against Korumburra and Wonthaggi to see themselves jump above the T-Birds into finals play.

Even though Traralgon won comfortably over Bairnsdale in the last game of the season by 39 points and considering they had better percentage than Maffra, it would have appeared the T-Birds would make it through.

A loss to the Eagles in Round 7 by 13 points (thanks to 47-point explosion by Sam Whelan) ultimately decided Traralgon’s fate.

Morwell also failed to make post-season action and had the bye in the final round.

 

THE Magic will be represented greatly however, as the women’s team have been a dominant force all season long.

Morwell looked destined to go win their first nine games heading into finals, but a Round 8 loss to contender Korumburra disrupted that run.

One-point ultimately separated the Magic from finishing first or second on the ladder, as the Wildcats claimed the important road win a fortnight ago with Isabella Cocksedge nailing a last-second three-pointer to see Korumburra over the line.

They then had a bye in the final round, unable to redeem their heartbreak.

While the finals timetable has yet to be released at the time of writing, it is likely that Morwell will play on Sunday against Warragul at Latrobe Leisure Morwell.

Moe missed out on finals by the skin of their teeth, with a 12-point loss to Pakenham (who finished fourth) putting an end to their hopes.

In their return season to CBL women, Traralgon showed growth from start to finish, but were never at the level to reach finals in their first year back.

The T-Birds did finish off the year as strong as ever with an emphatic 71-point victory, handing them their third win of the season.