Warriors into CBL deciders
Both the Warragul Warriors men’s and women’s teams will contest the Country Basketball League Gippsland division grand final after prevailing in a big night of basketball at Warragul Leisure Centre on Saturday night.
In front of a packed crowd cheering their local sides on, the women’s team comfortably accounted for the Korumburra Wildcats 83-53 before the men backed it up with victory over the Moe Meteors 67-50.
The victory over the Wildcats sees the Warriors women advance to their first CBL grand final in 15 years in a remarkable feat by the young team, who are all under the age of 20.
Taylah Gilliam scored first for the Warriors to level the scores as the sides traded blows early, heading into a second time out with the scores locked at nine apiece.
Alysha Marcucci and Jemma Shaddock created a mini-break for the Warriors but the ebb and flow nature of the contest continued with the Wildcats coming back to hit the front.
A two pointer to Peta Rhodes helped the Warriors to the lead to end the first term.
The two sides continued to trade two-pointers early in the second term before the Warriors were able to break away. Jasmine Ferguson and Giliam were able to string together consecutive two-pointers to take the lead out to 12 points.
Three pointers to Ferguson and Rhodes kept the Wildcats at bay, with the Warriors taking a 14-point lead at the half way mark.
The Warriors took the game away from the Wildcats in the third term, dominating the scoring with a threepointer to Giliam pushing the lead out to 29.
The Warriors remained in control from that point, easing to a 30-point victory and their first grand final in 15 years.
Every Warrior hit the scoresheet in a complete performance from the team. Giliam led the scoring with 17 points, while Marcucci, Ferguson, Abbey Noblett and Ellie Coutts also shot double figures.
The Warriors men shot out to a 10point lead early with Stephen O’Brien, Mike Santo and Ambu Uliando all scoring before the Meteors could get off the mark, with the home team taking a 21-11 lead at the end of the first term.
An early three-pointer to Uliando took the lead to 14 points, but the Meteors kept in touch to bring the deficit back to nine-points at the half way mark.
Santo, Uliando and Luke McKenzie all scored three-pointers in the third term to keep the Meteors at bay, heading into the final term with a 15-point advantage.
Santo continued his birthday celebrations with two three-pointers early in the fourth term, while Uliando also scored maximum points to increase the lead to 22-points and put the issue beyond doubt.
The Meteors whittled away the margin, but a two-pointer from Joel Strobel put the icing on the cake for a 17-point victory and a place in the grand final.
Santo scored four three-pointers to lead the scoring with 16 points, while Uliando’s three maximums helped him to 11 points. Noah Gown also chipped in with 11 points.
The Warriors will be hoping a large contingent of locals will make the trip to Traralgon Leisure Centre for the deciders on Saturday night.
The women will take on the Traralgon T-Birds from 6pm, with the men to follow against the Churchill Blue Devils at 8pm.