Finals week 1 - 5 wins, 3 losses, only 1 team retires

Well the first week of finals has finished - well done to the Club on having the maximum number of teams survive the 1^st week – with a D’s vs E’s Derby we were always going to lose one team, but everyone else has made it to the 2^nd week or straight to the GF.  Unfortunately (or fortunately if you consider it means we still have 2 teams in the Top 3) we have another Derby this week, but have the chance for 6 GF appearances depending on how our 4 games go this week.

 

Don't forget we have 2 more trainings and the chance to give the teams still playing a hit out, so still come out - it's another 4 months till preseason and you'll be missing it by then, so get your fix now.

So the games this week are obviously for the second spot in the respective Grand Finals, no more second chances.  Let’s get as many people out as possible to get the Reds over the line.  All the games are at the one venue, and let’s face it we would have kept some time free in the afternoon, so let’s use it to support the other teams.

Well done to the C’s and F’s who have won straight through to the Grand Finals next week. 

The games this week are all at Saints:

Team	Time	Court	Opponent
A’s vs B’s	7.00pm	Saints Court 1	Sister
E’s	6.00pm	Saints Court 2	Dunn Uniting A
G’s	3.00pm	Saints Court 1	SPOC E *
LR’s	6.00pm	Saints Court 1	Adelaide A

* SPOC E won by a point by hitting a banked three and one with 3 seconds left – sounds like some pretty dumb defence – speaking of dumb, watch this standup clip and the actual part of the show here – cupine? Seriously?

 

To the reports:

A’s – written by Captain Jack

A's lost 41-44 to Gateway. Almost a repeat of our last loss to Gateway - they really didn't do enough to win it, we lost it. Was a fairly close contest but unfortunately was over-officiated - we gave them too much lip and finished with 4 tech fouls (3 unjustified and all given without a team warning) - Gateway also made 21 out of a massive 30 free throws! We played quite well offensively, got good inside touches and outside looks, but didn't shoot well. Gateway had a number of 'cherry-pick' outlets which we failed to adjust to. We competed quite well, but continued to lack finishes on the offensive end. Tauny shot well, Orks and Corey defended Smith quite well and did everything possible to avoid fouling. Phil did a great job on Jos, none of the guards were too damaging. Will have to work hard to get over the B's this week to earn another crack at Gateway.

Jack 16, Tauny 11, everyone else chipped in with 2-7

 

B's – written by Mike

The B's recently played a half strength Saints team and won with a second half surge that showed them playing some of the best basketball Church has to offer. This Saturday the B's were facing a full strength SPOC, with Kong and Charles to add to their De'Cure, Goodwill and 'that other guy' line up. The first half saw the B's trying to get baskets in any way possible, but struggling inside against a tall line up and Saints basketball that is chuck and rebound. SPOC led the first half by 5, 26-21. However this lead was nothing compared to the lead that the B's came back from just a month ago and the second half they shot 'with the wind' and seemed unstoppable. The first half saw Hillusion and Ace in the Hole go for 80% of the points, the second half only 50% even though they scored the same amount. For those of you with calculator minds, that means there was a lot more scoring, Lachy 'THE BEAST' Campbell and Goody, started scoring inside and broke the Saints defence apart. B's hit the lead and held on by the grit of their teeth, 48-45 putting them through to a Derby with the A's. Darcy 17, Hill 14, Lachy 9, Goody 6.

During the game Darcy was asked to remove his under-top, after accepting this was the case, he was subbed to the bench to get changed at the speed your girlfriend would if you were in a rush. At this time an altercation occurred between Deb and Darcy (star crossed lovers) which ended up her ordering Darcy to leave, but the referees not backing her decision. Whether we are in the right or wrong guys, we are not exactly the association's favourite people right now, let's keep our mouths closed and minds stuck on the game. It's finals time baby and no matter the outcome of this week's game, PAOCBC will be in the A-grade finals again this year.

 
 

C’s –thanks to Coach Purge for putting something together for us

Cs V Unley Park (Qualifying Semi)

The Cs were back at full strength taking on their bogey team Unley Park who possess a number of quick slashers and reasonable shooters in a classic matchup v the Cs dominant size and old wise heads. It did not start well as Thommo picked up 2 quick fouls as we had 5 team fouls in the opening 3 mins. UP kept slashing #32 getting to the line constantly (he was 9/10 from the stripe in half) as the Cs man to man took some time to adjust to the super tight finals officiating (a feature across all games I saw on the day and an adjustment the whole club needs to make). Down 12-4 early the Cs sussed out the UP D which is to give G no space at all and to double the post – some better ball movement found Madman for some open jumpers & then Thommo and Kobe had 3 straight AND 1s to bring it to a 20-19 Reds lead at the half. Note we had 12 1st half fouls!!!

The inside out attack and better footwork in D started paying dividends as Phill, Thommo, Kobe and Hendo rotated through and kept UP to one shot. G was battling hard to get open though he couldnt shake the tight tag but this allowed Madman tonnes of space – initially he missed a few open ones but it would bear fruit later in the game. BB and Manners took turns on #32 and after 11 in the first he was held scoreless in the 2nd – great work lads. It was really close down the stretch – we switched to zone which worked well and suddenly Madman started heating up hitting big shot after big shot to give us a 34-32 lead. Both teams again over the limit (42 fouls in total for the game) it became a FT and D competition and the Cs passed with flying colours – G and Manners both hitting 1 of 2s and Hendo making a clutch 2/2 late to make it a 3pt game with one possession left. Despite my yelling to foul (I am a fan of fouling when up 3 – Coach Pop obviously disagrees and may be thinking about this for a while) we didn't but UP couldn't get a decent look – Reds win 38-35 and go straight through the GF. Massive props to the refs for calling 42 fouls, at least 10 x 3 second violations and close to 10 travels. Thats 60 whistles in 40 mins ... sorry but it has to be said.

Hendo showed his versatility throughout with 7, Thommo had 9 in 20 mins due to foul trouble but the day was all about Madman (14pts) – maybe it was the early championship ring he gave out (congrats) but when a big shot requires making for the Old Reds I’d rank a 15ft Madman baseline jumper for my life at no1 on the list.

D’s –written by Reggie

The E’s were active early, Matt Just and Bubs busiest and causing trouble for the young D’s, those 2 players getting to the line for 14 shots in the half.  The D’s couldn’t find their range early and were at times a little clumsy with the ball, coughing it up or not fighting hard enough for the loose ball.  It allowed the E’s to open up a lead, taking it to 20-10 at the half.  Pritch injected a little energy and finished a nice couple of runners, Kirkham with a try and Jono trying to impose himself on the game.  Lunny had a strong game on the boards.  Wildy & Kirkham were battling but couldn’t get their games to the quality we know they’re capable, Wildy particularly critical of his own game.  Jono got things going in the 2^nd, but after a couple of early B-Rad baskets the D’s were down 26-16.  In what was a spirited comeback that the boys can be proud of, we fought back with a trey from Pritch, deuces from Wildy & Lunny and a few from Jono to get the game to 28-26 with only a couple of minutes to go.  Unfortunately on our last push we turned the ball over, and the resulting foul let RJ add another point for 29-26 with just 2.5 secs to go.  After a timeout to advance the ball, a hastily drawn up play saw Jono get a good look at the 3 from the top of the key, but it hit iron and we fell one shot short of OT.  A well-deserved win to the E’s, but a demonstration of how far the team has come this season, with 3 notable comebacks in the last few games of the season.  Jono finished with 10, Pritch 7.

Thanks for the season guys, it’s been totes amazeballs (that means ‘good’ right?)

 

E’s – written by Diamond

If you wanted to describe the difference between the Ds and the Es, there is a fair chance the difference you would choose would be age. And the Es started the game playing like the older team, we were patient in offense and in defence we stayed on our feet and didn’t give the Ds much space to operate in. This led us to go into the half with a 10 point lead. In the second half we continued to play like the older team, the Ds younger and fitter legs shone through and they pegged back our half time lead. The willingness of the Ds to keep coming all through the second half set up a fantastic last few minutes of the game. I’m not entirely sure how we managed to hang against the fast finishing Ds, but we just got over the line in a very enjoyable game to be part of. Our thanks to the Ds.

 

F’s – penned by Phil (Browne Bear was hanging in the porcelain cave and late to the game)

For the fourth time this season the “Fs” were up against the team most likely, Golden Grove. And for the third week in a row we were without Phil and Udit, both of whom were convalescing with their respective Penthouse Pets. Browne-Dog was also a late starter with erlection commitments*.

The opening stanza reflected on the previous tight tussles with neither team able to find an easy path to the basket. Last time round was a shoot-fest with the “Fs” barely missing and G.G. had clearly learnt their lesson by playing an extended 3-2 and sometimes 4-1D; well up in our faces up top while quickly dropping back and double teaming Road-Train down low. Finally G.G. bothered the scorers and the game began in earnest. The Reds responded in kind and got out to a vital 4 point lead. I say vital because that’s as far as it got for the rest of the game. Every time we looked like surging they’d hit a jumper or get the benefit of a 50/50 call. A couple of the G.G. lesser lights were stepping up. First half scoring was evenly spread between Brad, Stu and RT. Reds up 16-15.

Just like me in the Players’ Player post match, the second half threw up more of the same. 2 point leads, surges, 50-50 calls. Added to the mix though was a couple of floating jump shots by Hansolo and some extra rebound help for Road-Train through the handy hands of Jay and Stu. Stu hit a bomb from outside and nailed some vintage drives, The Marine drove hard and with determination while R.T. cleaned up the mess. Jay and Brownie stepped up in D and though we kept our noses in front G.G. were forever nipping at our heels.

The last 2 minutes saw the scores locked at 29 a piece before a final bucket and sealing R.T. foul shot ** gave us the score-line of 32-29, Old Reds into the Big Show!

Brad 10, R.T. & Stu 9 a piece, Hansolo 4 essential points. Road Train 40 minutes for the 4th straight week and 40 more next game. Our “D” was great with limited resources down back, our “O” was excellent but has 20% more to give.

Whoever we meet in the final will come hard, so time to bring out our very, very best.

One more game lads!

* this was as typed in the original report – Freudian? Or was Browne Dog handing out how to vote cards for the Sex Party??

** I never thought I would read those words and that name together

 

G’s – Hitman’s assessment

G-Force began their Finals campaign against our traditional nemesis. Having faced SPOC D twice this season we knew exactly what to expect from them, and pre-game our plan was to play tight D, especially on their best shooters, and control the boards.  Seemingly, the SPOC plan was identical, baskets being hard to come by for both teams.  It was SPOC who took the early lead and built it to four, while G-Force were getting good looks, but the shots just wouldn’t drop.  We then resorted to jacking up long shots with no more success.  After a timeout we regrouped and took better shots, clawing back the margin, and at the half we were only 2 points down, 11-9, with both defences well on top.  The second half started poorly for G-Force, SPOC doing the initial scoring and within five minutes the lead had blown out to 16-9.  However, G-Force didn’t give up, managing to graft a couple of baskets while the defence remained impenetrable, SPOC repeatedly struggling to hit the rim, let alone put the ball through.  Late in the game SPOC’s persistent hacking tactics put G-Force in the bonus and within the last two minutes sent Sam to the line, going 1-of-2 to trim the margin to a single bucket.  Following another stop Sam was sent to the line again with 15 seconds on the clock.  Again he missed the first and made the second to cut the margin to one.  Pressing up on the inbounds, SPOC were struggling to get the ball across the halfway within the allocated 8 seconds, so the point guard tucked the ball under his arm and asked for a time-out.  “No time-out on the floor” was the ref’s response.  Reid’s response was to snatch the ball from under his arm and head for the basket.  With mere moments on the clock he put up the lay-up, and as had happened all game, the ball rimmed out, and the siren sounded as we battled for the rebound.  Game over, losing 15-16.  The loss wasn’t down to the events of the last two minutes, we all had plenty of chances to score all game but didn’t capitalize, but all game we remained committed on defence (holding SPOC scoreless for the last quarter-hour) and on the boards, and this effort is what gave us the opportunity to win in spite of our offensive struggles.  Brendan top-scored with 6, Reid scored 4, Troy 3 and Sam 2.

 

Lady Reds 3rd vs Dunn 4th (Elimination Final) – by Coach Purge

The Lady Reds welcomed Jordy back for the finals but were still down a starting guard with Megan off seeing her cousin race around the F1 track at Monza. Dunn are a difficult matchup with decent guards especially #7 Shari and a very tough and extremely tall #14 Fei Fei. The Lady Reds were too organised early pushing the pace Jordy and Tracy getting to the line and Georgie scoring well to lead it 8-0 after just a few minutes. Dunn slowed the tempo and started pounding the ball inside Wans picking up 2 quick ones. Dunn hit some shots + #14 got some putbacks to bring it to 8 all. Some good pressure led to some steals including one with 10 secs left Georgie putting on a sweet spin move and finish to take her half time tally to 8 and the team to a 14-9 lead.

The 2nd was a dour affair both teams playing great defense, for us the shots wouldn’t drop Emma, Loz and Alicia all had good looks but couldn’t get anything to go but they kept the pressure on at the other end and created plenty of chances. Wans and Georgie were both on foul trouble with #14 continually getting good position inside but likewise Dunn couldn’t hit anything (both teams combined to make only 5 FGs for the half) either. From there it became a FT missing competition Reds going 1/11 from the line in the 2nd to Dunns 2/14!!! Both our bigs fouled out but Dunn also had issues #7 having to spend some time on the pine also. In the end it was all about defense and the Lady Reds booked a spot in the Prelim with a 21-15 win.

Top 3 - Jordy pushed the pace all day when she’s on she is the best player in the comp, Wans was aggressive inside and kept Fei Fei to a stingy 6 pts, but the MVP was easily Georgie she got looks and made shots rolling for 11 pts which in the context of the day was huge (I will take a small amount of the credit for this … preparation is key …Purge)