Successful season for men's basketball

Joel Davey

AFTER an absence of eight years, men's local basketball is back up and running in the Derwent Valley and is looking healthy. Six teams entered a winter roster which ran over 10 roster games and three finals. The grand final was played on August 4 in front of an 80-strong crowd at the Derwent Valley Sports Centre.

Ladder leaders Hurricanes and Froff Dogs played off in the big one. It was a fantastic fast-paced and skillfull game, played down to the wire. The Froff Dogs (consisting of all local lads and all New Norfolk football players) hit the court running. The silky skills of Brayden Webb and Brett Booth and the strong grunt work by Sam Hall and Jon Murray saw the top of the table team skip away to a lead of around 14 points.

Throughout the second quarter the hardnesss and aggression of Hurricanes players Jake Wessing and Rick Rogers under the basket, and the superb skill and running play of ex-Hobart Charger Joel Davey saw th Hurricanes reduce the margin and level the scores. With only minutes to go, with a few errant passes and some turnovers from the Dogs, the Hurricanes managed to score the last two baskets of the game and finished off a thriller to win by four points, 38 to 34. The award of most valuable player in the grand final went to Joel Davey.

Craig Farrell MLC was on hand to pass out the trophies which were donated by sports centre manager Chris Lester and the sports centre comittee. It was a fantastic start to what is hoped will be a growing and continued part of the many sports to enjoy in the Derwent Valley. Another roster will be starting around October. If anyone is interested please contact Ben Shaw by email at bens@tricab.com or visit the Derwent Valley Men's Social Basketball Facebook page.

Report by BEN SHAW and photos by KRISTY HALL

Froff Doggs: back row from left, Brayden Webb, Joseph Papera, John Murray, Jake King and Aaron Papera; Front: Brett Booth, captain Rohan Heron and Sam Hall.

Hurricanes: back row from left, Brad Williams, Joel Davey, Rick Rogers, Shane Kube, Jake Wessing, Brad Chaplin; front: Rohan Collins, captain Luke Wardlaw and Jeremy Cashion.