Cobras close season on tear; clinch NBL1 South #3 seed
The Cobras return to the postseason for the first time since 2022, with their 14-8 record earning them a top-two finish and first round matchup on the road with the Mt Gambier Pioneers - whom they also faced in the 2022 playoffs. The Cobras closed the regular season in impressive form, winning six straight games, including a trio of key road victories that proved to drastically shake up the playoff picture.
In a dominant performance against the Casey Cavaliers on July 11, the Cobras demonstrated why they belong in the top four, led by another scintillating shooting display from Jamie Ahale, who scored 35 points - including eight three-point makes. Bookend by an electric start dominant final ten minutes, the Cobras reversed a 21 point loss to the Cavaliers earlier in the season with a 22 point win on the road this time, capped by an emphatic slam by former Cavalier, Dillon Stith, to jump Casey in the standings. The Cobras win over Casey came after a thrilling three-point road win against the Ballarat Miners, a game which saw the Cobras jump Ballarat in the standings before moving up once again over the Cavaliers.
The Cobras returned to the road to battle the Ringwood Hawks last Tuesday, riding another strong start and breakaway finish en-route to a 104-91 victory. Despite a valiant Ringwood effort led by star wing, Angus Glover, the Cobras and interior size - led by Stith and Khadim Sy - proved to be too much, as Kilsyth ended the Hawks playoff hopes. Stith and Sy combined for 45 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists in the win, in a spectacular front court performance. Kilsyth’s trio of gritty road wins meant they entered the final weekend of the season in control of their destiny; win and secure a top-four finish against the Waverley Falcons.
It was easier said than done, though, as the Cobras suffered from a n 0-13 start from beyond the arc, as the Falcons raced to an early 13 point lead. The Cobras dug deep though, riding a dominant 34-18 second period to take control heading into the main break, and they appeared set to celebrate a top-four finish as they held a seven point lead with two minutes remaining. But a simply wild finish to regulation saw Waverley tie the game with one second remaining, with Sy’s potential game-winner falling just short as the game headed to overtime. The Cobras had to do it tough late, again taking what seemed to be an insurmountable lead in the extra session, before the Falcons roared back one final time. With under 30 seconds left and a chance to take the lead, the Falcons had what appeared to be a go-ahead bucket, but Stith capped another incredible performance with one of the blocks of the season, completely wiping away Ryan Dean’s layup attempt.
The Falcons would get the ball back as Corey Jeffs missed a game clinching layup, with star point guard Khalil Shabazz’s buzzer beating triple just missing, as the Cobras survived and secured a playoff double chance.
The Cobras now face the Pioneers in a #2 vs #3 showdown on the road on Saturday night (7:30pm tip-off). A win would earn Kilsyth a home preliminary final in two week’s time; while a loss would see them return to home court next weekend for an elimination semi final. The Cobras and Pioneers met at Kilsyth on June 14 in a classic, with the Pioneers coming away with a nail biting 100-99 victory, setting the stage for another thrilling postseason battle between the two teams.
While the Cobra Men are postseason-bound, the Women saw their season come to an end on Friday night as they lost to the reigning national champion Falcons in an exciting game at home. The Cobras were unable to repeat their magic from June 21 - when they stunned the Falcons on the road - as Waverley’s loaded and experienced group pulled away in crunch time to secure a fifth place finish of their own. Abby O’Connor starred in her final game at Kilsyth, doing what she did all year long as she led Kilsyth with 28 points, four assists and four steals.
Despite missing out on the playoffs, the Cobras played the season with remarkable pride and grit, defeating the reigning national champions, taking the conference runners-up - the Keilor Thunder - to overtime on the road, and almost causing another upset against the 19-3 Knox Raiders. Facing four overtime finishes, the big game experience will prove greatly beneficial for young Cobras, Nikita Young, Hannah Day, Georgia McBean and Caitlyn Shannon, with the quartet - led by Young - taking significant steps in their game once again.
