Posted on 20 April, 2009
Day 8 Grand Finals
Congratualtions to both Victoria Metro men’s and women’s teams who have just be crowned U18 Champions here in Gawler. The womens grand final saw Vic Metro defeat state rivals Vic Country 68 to 51. In the mens, Vic Metro took on a determined NSW Metro and came out victorious in with 65 to 47 the final score.
5. 2009 Australian U18 Championship Final Placings
Womens Placings
1 – VIC Metro
2 – VIC Country
3 – SA Metro
4 – QLD North
5 – NSW Metro
6 – QLD South
7 – NSW Country
8 – WA Metro
9 – SA Country
10 – Tasmania
11 – ACT
12 – WA Country
13 – Northern Territory
14 – New Zealand
Mens Placings
1 – VIC Metro
2 – NSW Metro
3 – VIC Country
4 – QLD South
5 – SA Metro
6 – NSW Country
7 – WA Metro
8 – Tasmania
9 – WA Country
10 – SA Country
11 – QLD North
12 – ACT
13 – New Zealand
14 – Northern Territory
Day 7 Semi Finals
VIC Metro Women 98 defeated SA Metro Women 58
2008 Women Champions Vic Metro went up against 2008 5th placed SA Metro for a place in the 2009 Gold Medal Game. Vic Metro finishing 1st and undefeated in pool 1 and SA Metro finishing 2nd in pool 2. SA full of confidence, before the game, that they can pull off a win. Vic Metro came out hard a physical which led to a 6 point break before SA worked back to hold a narrow lead at quarter time 23-22. In the second quarter Vic Metro had scored 9 unanswered points before SA Metro found the hoop. Vics full court defense dropped back to half court and both teams went basket for basket. SA Metro in foul trouble sent Vic to the line several times and turnovers from SA proved costly on the scoreboard. Vic Metro lead at the half by 13. Both teams traded baskets in the third with Vic Metro gaining the ascendancy and broke away to finish with a 28-15 quarter. The last quarter saw a stronger and bigger Vic Metro finish the game with a 24-10 last quarter. The gold medal game now awaits the Vic girls who appear certain favorites to retain their Championship.
VIC Metro Men 72 defeated VIC Country Men 53
Only one Victorian team could progress to the Championship game. Like they have been all week, Vic Metro proved too strong and advanced past Vic Country quite comfortably in the end, 72-53. Jordan Hughes led all scores with 23 points. Mitchell Creek continued to be consistently good for Country with 13 points and 17 rebounds.
Day 6
VIC Metro Men 90 defeated NZ Men 33
This was always going to be a tough assignment for the NZ Men given the height difference and this was most obvious in the rebounding (VIC 52 : NZ19) and points in the paint (VIC 48 to NZ 6). The margin was 15 at quarter time and grew at every change to reach 57 at the finish. Will Sinclair #6 was excellent at both ends for VIC finishing with 21 points and 12 rebounds. Brandon Iskra #9 was also good with 14 points and 7 rebounds. For NZ Men Ruihana Te Nahu #11 tried very hard along with Shaquille Hohipa-Wilson #8
VIC Metro Women 92 defeated WA Metro Women 42
In the first quarter, Vic Metro showed their height was going to be an issue for WA by gaining an early quarter time lead 30-14, With some strong inside baskets. WA attacked the basket well in the second half but Vic Metro continued to pull away, leading at three quarter time 75-34. WA continued to battle in the last but Vic Metro had put the game out of reach, winning 92-42.
Day 5
VIC Metro Women 90 defeated SA Country Women 41
VIC Metro were always in control of this game despite in the 1st quarter, when SA Country really took it to them. From the start of the 2nd quarter, VIC Metro turned up the defensive pressure causing SA Country to turn the ball over too often (35 turnovers in total). As VIC Metros shooting improved the margin steadily increased. Rebecca Allen (#6, VIC Metro) was the standout with 24 points and a couple of steals, whilst Alissa Hampton (#7) battled hard for SA Country.
VIC Metro Men 85 defeated ACT Men 41
VIC Metro proved to be very strong on the rebounds and pushed the ball well up the floor. ACT battled hard but turnovers proved costly as VIC Metro capatalised on these opportunities to stretch the steadily stretch the lead out. VIC Metros defense was very intense as they managed to take 20 steals throughout the game and close out the comfortable VICtory by 44 points.
Day 4
VIC Metro Men 65 defeated WA Country Men 45
With WA Countrys talls in foul trouble early on in the game, VIC Metro took full advantage and led well by half time. Although the 2nd half was 1 way traffic in favour of VIC Metro, WA Country never gave up the fight but eventually being defeated by 20 points. VIC Metros Igor Hadziomerovic (#12) finished with 18 while WA Countrys Ryan Smith (#8) finished with 8 points.
VIC Metro Women 79 defeated NT Women 24
NT were always going to find it tough against a much taller and stronger VIC Metro side. In saying that, NT did put pressure on the VIC Metro offense, forcing them to have more than 20 turnovers for the match. VIC Metro had far too many weapons and were the clear winners by 55 commanding points. At this stage, VIC Metro appear to be the team to beat in the Womens pools.
Day 3
VIC Metro Women 88 defeated Tas Women 40
Vic Metro continued their winning ways with a commanding victory over Tasmania. In the first quarter the Vics showed they were too strong for Tasmania, taking a 26-7 lead early. Tas stepped up in the second quarter as the Vic girls shooting dried up and Tas outscored them 17-14. The third quarter saw Vic put defensive pressure on the Tasmanian guards and force many turnovers. 69-35 was Vics lead heading into the last period. Vic Metro were too strong, tall and fast in the end as they ran out comfortable winners.
VIC Metro Men 77 defeated Qld South 65
Will Sinclair 9 pts 10 rbds
Day 2
VIC Metro 54 defeated NSW Country Women 42
VIC Metro’s aggression at the basket was the difference in the 1st quarter which gave them a 16-10 lead. Errors from both teams resulted in a low 1st half score of 23-15. NSW Country played tough but VIC Metro’s defense was to strong in the 3rd period. A 3 quarter time score of 41-28 meant it was still anyone’s game. 4 points was the closest NSW Country got to VIC Metro in the last quarter. VIC Metro held on to claim the win
VIC Metro Men 82 defeated SA Metro Men 51
VIC Metro were too strong and quick for SA Metro creating pressure at all times which SA Metro failed to handle and were therefore no match for VIC Metro. The turning point for the game was during the 2nd quarter when VIC Metro increase the pressure with crisp ball handling.
Will Sinclair 6 pts 5 rbds
Josh Flink 10 pts
Day 1
VIC M Men 85 defeated NSW C Men 50
Both teams started slowly in this game finding scoring difficult which was reflected in the quarter time score of 13-13. The main highlight was some great shot blocking at both ends and some excellent rebounding. Brandon Iskra (#9) for VIC Metro provided a spark, finishing with a game high of 8 rebounds (3 offensive). The 3rd quarter saw VIC Metro pull away from their 7 point lead at half time to lead by 21 with a quarter to go. Despite some good pressure from NSW Country, the lead blew out to a final winning margin of 35. A good, steady start by VIC Metro who improved as the game progressed.
Will Sinclair 3 pts 4 rbds
Josh Flink 9 pts
VIC M Women 87 defeated QLD N Women 68
Fairly even 1st quarter between VIC Metro and QLD North Women. VIC Metro became the dominant team in the 2nd quarter. QLD North had a brief turnaround in the 3rd quarter, outscoring VIC Metro. Ultimately VIC Metro won by 19 points.
