Surfcoasters win Max Bowman Shield

SURFCOASTERS had several junior sides compete in the Basketball Victoria Country Junior Domestic Championships at the weekend, winning two grand finals and the award for the best club at the competition.

The Max Bowman Memorial Shield for the championship’s most successful club has been awarded since 1977.

It is decided by a points system. Clubs earn a point for each team a club enters, a point for each preliminary round win, and a point for each title win.

Surf Coast Basketball Association president Nicole Crammond said it was a credit to all involved with the club that it had taken out the prestigious award just seven years after the club’s formation.

“We’ve achieved a lot in a very short period of time. It’s surprised us how quickly everyone has progressed.

“I think it’s a testament to the quality of coaches we have involved in the club and also the kids’ willingness to learn.”

Surfcoasters entered six teams in the tournament. All made the semi-finals and four reached grand finals, with the Under 18 Boys and Under 14 Girls winning their Divisions.

The Under 18 Boys were up against difficult opposition in the grand final. They were playing Bendigo Phoenix who they had lost to by two points in the earlier stages of the championship.

Coach Mark Gabell said the side responded brilliantly to their earlier defeat.

“The boys fired up in the final and managed to win pretty convincingly in the end.”

His side would go on to win the grand final 63 to 41.

Gabell said basketball had been thriving on the Surf Coast.

“It’s booming. At the Surf Coast we’re getting a lot more participants, especially in the local comp. It’s doing great.”

Surfcoasters Under 14 Girls also won their grand final. It was a very close game where they defeated Geelong YMCA 48 to 45.

Like the Under 18 Boys, they had been defeated by their grand final opposition in the opening stages of the competition.

Yet they also responded well to their defeat and maintained their composure to take victory in the grand final.