Warriors second in CBL

Warragul Warriors put in spirited performances but went down in both the men’s and women’s Country Basketball League Gippsland division grand finals on Saturday night.

Having made the CBL grand final for the first time in 15 years, the women’s team were gallant in defeat at the hands of the Traralgon T-Birds, suffering a heart-breaking 74-70 loss.

With ther women’s team all under 20 years of age, the Warriors will hope the young team can stay together and aim to go one better next season.

The Warriors were in the contest all night, with Jemma Shaddock putting the Warriors within a point with a booming three-pointer late in the game.

Desperate to win the lead, the Warriors fought hard to the end but couldn’t overcome their more experienced opponents, who shot two one-pointers to finish four points to the good.

The Warriors went with their opponents for the entire contest, regularly hitting back after conceding a slight lead, but just couldn’t hit the front in a heart-breaking result for the inspirational young team.

The Warriors showed they have what it takes to match the T-Birds, and can take plenty of positives from the contest.

Chelsea D’Angelo proved the difference in the end, shooting 34 points for the T-Birds, including the final two one-pointers to sink the Warriors.

Alysha Marcucci led the scoring for the Warriors with 23 points, while Abbey Noblett (15 points) and Taylah Giliam (13 points) also kept Warragul in the contest.

The men’s final was a clear cut affair, with the Churchill Blue Devils pushing away to defeat Warragul 91-63.

While the Warriors led during the first quarter, the Blue Devils’ ability to string consecutive scores ultimately proved the difference as they pushed out to a 17-point lead at three-quartertime.

Blue Devils star Jordan Canovan proved the difference, scoring 33 points.

Mike Santo top scored for the Warriors with 19 points, while Stephen O’Brien also shot double figures with 10 points.