Phoenix risesinto decider
A PRELIMINARY final overtime thriller saw the Hobart Phoenix end its losing streak that dated to October 14 and secure a berth in the SBL women’ s grand final.
After a slow start, the Phoenix fought back for a 68-67 win against the SouthernWolves.
The Wolves jumped out to a commanding lead early thanks to Ellie Collins (24 points) and Tay la Roberts (20 points).
The momentum would soon change as the Phoenix rose through the play of Clair Lapham off the bench to cut the margin to three at the first break.
From there, the Phoenix wrested control and led through to the final two minutes of regulation thanks to Dimi Jaynes (23 points) and Emma Waller (12 points ).
Not to be counted out, an Amy Westwood baseline shot gave the Wolves the lead and they looked to close it out until Eliza Van de Kamp’s made free throw put the contest into extra time.
In a tight battle to the end, Alex Finlayson would start and end the overtime period with two big three-point shots (13 points for the game) to get the Phoenix over the line.
Hobart takes on Glenorchy next week as it tries for a third consecutive flag.
The men’s game started the same way it finished, a Hobart Phoenix flurry.
Hobart proved too strong and asserted itself as the contender to minor premier Glenorchy as it eclipsed Kingborough-Huon87-80.
Hobart had the hot hand on its jump shooting as Tiri Masunda (26 points) and Jordy Hargrave (20 points) led from the front in the absence of Robbie Inches.
But the Kings, took the
lead midway through the second period through Jacob Richard sand Noah Straats ma (25 points each ).
This lead would develop through the third as the Hobart defence began to give way, blowing out to 12 at the start of the last quarter as the crowd at the Kingborough Sports Centre could see a grand final berth.
But Hobart had other ideas, and with its jump shot returning, Callum Boucher poured in three straight triples (19 points) while Luke Brown proved pivotal at both ends (16 points) to see the Phoenix outscore the Kings 32-15 in the last quarter.
The finals will be on Show Court 1 at the Kingborough Sports Centre on Wednesday.