Nail biting semi finals

The Mount Gambier Lakers men Country Basketball League (CBL) South West title defence remains on track following their dramatic one point semi final home court victory over the Warrnambool Seahawks.

From the initial tip off to the final whistle, the Icehouse hosted semi final was a tense affair with neither team able to gain any significant advantage of momentum.

It was the Lakers by two at the first break; down by one at the half before the lakers went into the final stanza with a one point advantage which proved the final margin.

It was the usual suspects leading the scoring for the Mount Gambier line-up with veteran Simon Berkefeld (27); Kyle Tipene (23) and Toby de Wit (22) doing the majority of the scoreboard damage – all three having been part of the Pioneers program over the years.

The Lakers will now take on Horsham in this weekend’s title decider.

The Hornets can thank an impressive opening half for their semi final victory over the Millicent Magic, especially the dominant second quarter, which they won 30-14.

Horsham led by eight at the first change and 24 at the main break, making for a long road back for the Magic.

They trimmed the lead to 17 going into the last but it proved a bridge too far, despite winning the final quarter emphatically by 12 points, falling five agonising points short of a grand final berth.

Nelson Forbes dominated for the Magic with a game high 36 points, with Harry Mules (25) also proving influential.

Better news for the Magic women who survived a tough semi final over arch rival the Mount Gambier Lakers – their two point victory seeing them advance and deny the Lakers women a chance to appear in back-to-back title deciders.

Both sides were not at full strength, given the semi finals clashed with the SA Country Under 18 Championships in Adelaide, and not much separated the two sides throughout the contest.

It was the Lakers by four at quarter time; the Magic by three at the main break; the Lakers setting up a one point lead going into the last before the Magic was able to secure the two point victory and a spot in the grand final.

Poppy Venn led the way with a game high 22 points, with Lacey Haines and Edie Easterby, the other two players to hit double figures with 11 points apiece.

Olivia Wormald led the scoring for the Lakers with 19, with Tenielle Human (15) and Sarah Ritter (10) providing good scoreboard support.

Millicent will now take on defending champions Portland, on the Coasters home court.

The Portland women had the biggest of the semi final victories with an eight point win over Warrnambool.

Summer Millard and Millie Jennings both put up 13 points, while Alana Strom hit 12 points.

The women’s final will be played at 5.15pm (Victorian time), followed by the men at 8pm (Victorian time).

PHOTO COURTESY OF 3 POINT PHOTOGRAPHY BY TANIA MILLARD