Posted on 3 August, 2008
Clare Papavs was the star for Kilsyth hitting the big shots when her team needed her the most. Finishing with 24pts on 7/14 shooting from the field, Papavs took control of the game down the stretch and gave her team a chance to snatch the victory.
Bendigo was made to work for every basket throughout the match as Coach Jason Knight rotated his players around to cover Lady Braves centre Gabe Richards. Richards finished with 28pts and 22rbds but was made to work for every basket and tired throughout the 4th quarter and overtime as Kilsyth began to take control.
The first term was a defensive battle with both teams applying the clamps. Kilsyth managed a 17-12 quarter time lead as Desiree Glaubitz (17pts, 7 assists) converted twice on the break. Erica McMenamin (8pts, 13rbds) was everywhere for Kilsyth, doing the hard work on the defensive boards and controlling Lady Braves point guard Jane Chalmers.
Bendigo hit back in the 2nd term to close the gap to just four points at half time and it was Sarah Parsons (9 pts, 6 rbds) who stood up to keep the Lady Cobras rolling along. A 33-29 half time lead quickly evaporated in the 3rd term with Richards leading the way and Bendigo controlling the rebounds, the Lady Cobras were looking at a seven point 3rd quarter time deficit.
Totally out match and out muscled on the boards (56-35 for the game) Kilsyth need some quality offence to kick start a comeback but found themselves in a deep hole with five minutes to play. Gemma Kerr came off the bench for 12 points including a massive three pointer to cut the margin to nine with 4:30 remaining.
Kilsyth looked gone at multiply stages throughout the final four minutes but never gave up and were cheered on by close to 150 passionate fans. With the Lady Cobras fans louder than the locals, Papavs scored seven and Glaubitz four points in the final three minutes to get Kilsyth back in the game as Bendigo went 3/9 from the free throw line over the final minutes of regulation. McMenamin hit the tying basket with 12 secs remaining and the Lady Cobras came up with one last stop in regulation to force an extra period.
The Kilsyth spirit shone through in the overtime period and the Lady Cobras never looked like losing the game. Kerr hit the opening bucket before Bendigo tired up the score but after a Glaubitz basket and another four points from Papavs the Lady Cobras found themselves up six with two minutes remaining. Bendigo tried everything in the final two minutes to get back in the game but Kilsyth came up with stop after stop as Glaubitz and Kerr iced the game from the free throw line.
The Lady Cobras win sends them into the SEABL Grand Final against local rival Nunawading in a massive local battle next Saturday Night at 7.30pm. Kilsyth have not defeated the Spectres in 2008 but will go into the game knowing anything is possible when they play with the Cobras passion and spirit.
Keep up to date with all the Lady Cobras news this week at www.kilsythbasketball.com.au and get down to training Tuesday and Thursday night at 7.30pm at the Kilsyth Sports Centre to wish the girls good luck.
