Big Night for Basketball

Big Night for Basketball
From Cooma Monaro Express 25/9/12

It was a big night of basketball on Monday with the grand finals of the junior boys, B Grade women, A Grade women and men's played at the Cooma Basketball Stadium.
Blue Marlins ran out winners 51-40 over the Hornets in the junior boys match, with Groundhogs too strong for the Allsorts in the B Grade women's winning 39-25. In the A Grade women's game Mainstreet defeated Geachy's 42-38 and in the men's grand final Grasshoppers beat Snowy 50 - 46.
Junior boys
In a hard fought battle Blue Marlins ran out winners 51-40 over the Hornets . Tim Wall led his young team strongly, scoring 26 points and defending and rebounding well. Tim ensured that during the competition his young players Will Saddler, Jimmy Harding, Pierre Wall, Ethan Hunt and Keilan Johnson had plenty of court time and were able to stand their own against the bigger Hornets. He was also well assisted by Jerod Blyton who had his first season. Hornets can hold their heads high as they were left with just four players for the game. Daniel Pevere was strong in attack along with Kyle Hubert while Ben Trotter was one of the most improved players of the season. Daniel Hopkin had his first season and is one to watch next year. Well done to all the boys.
Blue Marlins 52 (T. Wall 26, P. Wall 9, K. Johnson 4, E. Hunt 4, J. Blyton 6, W. Saddler 2) def Hornets 40 (D. Pevere 30, K. Hubert 4, B. Trotter 6)
B Grade women
Groundhogs proved too strong for the much improved Allsorts running out winners 39-25. Ailish Pope dominated for the Groundhogs scoring 25 points with Amanda Fitzgerald scoring nine points. For the Allsorts the scoring was evenly spread out among the team.
Groundhogs 39 (A. Pope 25, A. Fitzgerald 9, A. Fergusson 4) def Allsorts 25 (J. Sopniewski 2, A. Theunissen 4, A. Stephens 4, T. Huggett 3, P. Grayson 2, K. Hynes 2, N. Corey 4, N. Walsh 4.)
A Grade women
In a tight match up of the two top teams of the competition Mainstreet defeated Geachy's 42-38.
Open men
Minor premiers Grasshoppers overcame Snowy 50-46 in the open men's grand final.
Grasshoppers started with a lightning steal by Jarrod Sopneiwski only to be fouled on the lay up and having to go to the line for the first point off the game. This was followed by two points from a strong rebound by Tanel Joosep to make the score 3-nil.
The reply was swift by Snowy's Malcom Anderson with a three pointer out of no where to make it three all.
This set the tone and pace for the remainder of the game.
The quarter continued basket for basket with Grasshoppers going to the foul line through Tim Wall's strong moves to the hoop and Snowy's intention not to make it easy for the Grasshoppers. Down the other end Matt Booker was working hard.
Grasshoppers went to the first break four point ahead, but both teams had a high foul count.
The second quarter belonged to the Grasshoppers with Simon Clear stamping his mark on the game with a number of fast breaks and points from the line. Tanel also continued backing up under the basket and was rewarded for his efforts helping Simon claim the points for the quarter.
Snowy's big men Antony Brennan, with Matt and Mal, scored valueable points to keep Grasshoppers from running away with the score.
Both teams entertained the crowd with some tremendous plays under the oppositions basket and variety of shots including fade away jump shots, revese pivot and step round drives to the basket to try and get through the tight defence. At half-time it looked like Grasshoppers were stretching ahead with a 27 to 20 score line.
Snowy came out guns blazing in the third quarter which saw great defensive rebounds by Snowy feed Mal Anderson and Tom Stewart for the fast break. This quickly brought the score closer. The quarter was highlighted by some magnificent individual plays. A drive by Snowy quashed by Grasshoppers only to see some quick passes then a long pass across the key looking lost, only to be collected on the run by Damien Asanovski who landed sweetly did a 180 deg turn and gently popped the ball into the basket off the board with defensive bodies all around, and all in a fraction of a second.

Then on the counter attack Pat Swain took the ball from the base line throw in and indicated his intensions with a purposful intial bounce and focusced look on his face, to start his journey to the other ring. Flicking the ball from hand to hand changing direction several times including two behind the back dribbles, went the length of the court threading his way through the defence only to be denied the basket with a poor bounce off the back of the ring.
Pat finished the quarter having to go to the line right on the break with a double set of three throws due to a double foul, then sinking two from four. The period belonged to Snowy who brought the score back to four points at the conclusion of three quarter time.
You could feel the tension building in the final quarter as Snowy picked up the first points and leveled the scores. This quarter was the tightest of the game with players not only feeling the energy pinch but due to the hard work in defense foul trouble loomed on both sides. This saw the battle between the guards with Simon Clear, with great support from defensive rebounds by Chris Wall, Tanel and Pat, be able to feed him the ball and secure all the points for the quarter. Then Mal Anderson on fast break and Matt Booker under the ring for Snowy seal their points for the quarter. The final minutes saw both teams untilize their time outs. Both went to the line in the dying seconds with Tom Stewart needing to sink both baskets to keep within two. it didn't evetuate and Grasshoppers capitalized on their free throws and held on to win 50 to 46.
Best for the Grashoppers were Simon Clear, Tim Wall and Tanel Joosep. For Snowy Matt Booker, Anthony Brennan and Mal Anderson excelled with great support from Damien Asanovski and Corey Tucker. This game capped off a fantastic evening of basketball. with all the players, helpers, and supproters to be commended on making the night such a success. Special thanks to the referees from Canberra and the Cooma Basketball Committee.

Mens Winter Comp Draw Now Available

For all those that are interested winter competition draw is now available under the "Mens" page above. If you aren't in a team come along
Wednesday night from 6.30 pm and we'll organize a team for you.

If your not registered or registration has run out please come prepared
with $75.00 for adults and $60 for juniors (18 and under).

Look forward to seeing you all Wed night and participating in a great
winter comp.We are hoping to get at least 6 teams or more. Come and Just
enjoy basketball as a terrific social activity, good exercise and lots
of fun.Please pass on this message to as many people you know that may be
interested in playing. Any questions contact by email pevereATdodo.com.au or 0428911095.

Have fun Cheers David Pevere
Men basketball coordinator.

Australian Record Smashed

Cooma Monaro Express 6/3/12

A new Australian record for the longest game of basketball was set by Monaro High School on the weekend with 24 students playing a mammoth 32 consecutive hours.

 

The game tipped off at 9am on Saturday at the Cooma Basketball Stadium. Thirty-six and a half games, 32 hours nine minutes and 23 seconds later they had set a new record. They were tired and weary but in high spirits and had a definite sense of achievement.

The school had set the record in 2008 with 28 hours of consecutive play. The record was broken twice and was held by Hawkesbury District Basketball Association at 31.5 hours until Sunday afternoon when Monaro High School reclaimed the title.

MHS teacher Kari Ingram said everyone was extremely proud of all students.
“All staff involved are so proud of the students in achieving such a significant challenge. They played with great heart and school spirit from start to finish,” she said.
Mrs Ingram said it would not have been possible without the involvement of volunteers.
“We are lucky to have staff, students, parents and the community to be able to achieve this.”
She said she had heard no complaints from any of the students throughout the 32 hours.

Student Louisa Wall said she was exhausted and relieved when the final buzzer sounded and got through it with “lots of sugar and soft drink”.

Two teams of 12 players contested the 30 plus games of basketball and were made up of students who will be travelling to Fiji in April for an international tour. There were also student’s who participated in the marathon but aren’t traveling to Fiji.

With a one minute rest between games there was not much time for rest and the players were on constant rotation. They played through the night and brought along pillows and blankets and took turns at getting some sleep. A number of parents and friends gave up their time over the weekend to referee, score, cheer on the students and make sure they kept hydrated and were fed.

After finishing at 5.10pm on Sunday the students were quick to head home, have a shower and get some sleep.

As for attempting to break the record again any time soon, Mrs Ingram said it depended what the next record was going to be, but would consider it in the future.

The final score:
Two teams, white and blue, contested the games. White were overall winners with 2,237 points and 21 wins to blue which had 2,160 points and won 15 games.
Highest point scorer overall was Lauren Stewart with 452 points. Orion McKinnon-Campbell was highest scorer for the boys in the white team with 200 points. Kate Connelly scored 309 points for blue and Declan Tozer put 298 points on the board for blue.
The players:
White team:
Emma Gerrand, Lauren Stewart, Blayne Thomas, Carly Rixon, Louisa Wall, Orion McKinnon-Campbell, Blake Byrne, Kate Schofield, Oscar Schoon, Cameron Johnson, Taiha Singh and Hamish Toohey.
Blue team:
Caton Vracar, Shashank Bokil, Kate Connelly, Kara Hynes, Luke Bracher, Brooke Ardle, Declan Tozer, Georgie Clarke, Abby Schofield, Lauren Swain, Tim Wall and Cody Nash.

32 Hour Basketball Marathon - Sat March 3

Monaro High School Basketball Squad

Cooma Monaro Express 21/2/12

A one hour game of basketball is usually enough to leave most gasping for air but this March a group of students from Monaro High School will set out to play 32 hours of continuous basketball and break an Australian record.

Two teams of 12 players each will attempt to play 32 hours of basketball with a one minute rest between each game.

The teams will be made up of students in the Monaro High School Basketball squad that will be travelling to Lautoka, Fiji in the April school holidays for an international tour.
In 2008 a group of Monaro High School students in the New Zealand tour team set a new Australian record for the longest continuous game of basketball with 28 hours of continuous play.
The record has since been broken twice and is currently at 31.5 hours held by Hawkesbury District Basketball Association.

The match will tip off at 9am on Saturday March 3 and continue through the day and night until Sunday at 5pm. Anyone wishing to sponsor the challenge or support the group in their efforts are encouraged to contact Kari Ingram or Michelle Pollard on 0414423963 or 0414999235. Spectators are most welcome.
The squad have been busily preparing for the tour since being selected in September 2011. Upon returning back to school for the new year the group have moved training outdoors to help the players in getting used to the conditions expected on the tour. In addition to training the squad have entered a boys and a girls team into the local Monday night mixed basketball competition to assist with match practice leading up to the tour. They will be travelling to Batemans Bay and Moruya on Friday March 2 to contest the Eurobodalla Zone Championships.

Basketball Marathon Coming Soon

Stay tuned for more details with regard to this years Monaro High School Basketball Fundraiser Basketball Marathon to take place on the weekend of the 3rd and 4th March. For more information see Cari Ingram.

Semi - Finals Alpine edge out Spics and Specs

Cooma Monaro Express 26/1/12

Vo Tran attempts a shot with Corey Tucker trying to block

With just five players, the Alpine Hotel Penguins held out a late fight back from Spics n’ Specs in their semi-final match on Tuesday.

Spics n’ Specs went into the second quarter trailing by one point in what was shaping up to be an evenly contested match. By the end of the third term Alpine Penguins had surged ahead to lead by 12 points despite having no subs on the bench. The Penguins were working the ball well as a team and sinking their shots.

Sam Gubicak had a great game with 23 points and really made an impact in the final quarter shooting five consecutive baskets giving the Penguins the upper hand. Vo Tran was dangerous each time he had the ball in open space scoring 19 points including three, three pointers. Ben Rolfe made an impact under the hoop for Spics n’ Specs securing rebounds at both ends as did Mark Adams for Alpine Penguins. Pat Swain scored 12 points and was strong driving the ball to the ring as was Corey Tucker who scored 10 points with solid lay up plays and break aways.

In the second half Spics n’ Specs’ Simon Clear came out firing with 12 points for the half, including two, three pointers.

A late surge by Spics n’ Specs with Swain and Clear sinking a couple of three pointers lifted the team and brought the score back to within five points with two minutes lefts on the clock. But the Penguins were able to hold out Spics n’ Specs and take the game 64-55.

Ben Downton rejects Louis Hoskinson

Fat Cutz and Biga Boys

Fatz Cutz came out on top in a nail biting finish against Biga Boys in their semi-final match up on Tuesday. After trailing for the majority of the match, Biga Boys’ Daniel Pevere tied the match in the final minutes of the game with a perfectly placed three pointer.

With scores locked at 40 all and just a minute left on the clock, Fatz Cutz responded with a couple of quick baskets putting them ahead by four points. Spectators were on the edge of their seats as the Biga Boys had the opportunity to close the gap when sent to the free throw line on two occasions.
But as the final buzzer sounded it was Fatz Cutz who claimed the victory and secured their spot in the grand final next week against the Alpine Hotel Penguins.

The semi-final was hard fought with the Biga Boys stepping up their game. Biga Boys came out firing from the start of the game with Martin Stockl putting the first points on the board. Stockl went on to score 22 points in a fantastic team effort. Stockl was not only solid at the hoop he was formidable in defence with a number of critical steals and rebounds. Damian Boyes and Louis Hoskinson were also strong under the ring backing up and contesting the rebounds.

Ben Dowton’s height proved to be a critical factor in the Fatz Cutz win, with Dowton rejecting a number of shots, securing the rebounds and scoring 12 points. Damien Assanovski was once again strong under the ring while Creedance Bartlett and Blake Barrett combined well to put points on the board for Fatz Cutz.