Girls win Classic

22 February 2010

Portland Observer

THE Portland Coasters under-18 girls played Millicent in their first game of the Portland tournament.

In the early part of the first half of the game both sides seemed to be matched very evenly in a low scoring game.

The Coasters hit their straps from then on, opening up a 10-point lead at half time.

Their lead was courtesy of some accurate three points shooting from Courtney Preece.

Brook Morrissey and Tonaya Bannam created some fast breaks after some solid work from Amanda Gibbins and Chelsea McMahon in defence.

Portland continued to increase their lead through the second half with Mikayla Phillips providing valuable minutes off the bench.

Portland defeated Millicent 34 to 18.

Portland played Mount Gambier in their second game and early on the game was even with both sides playing good defence.

Portland missed some easy shots and gave up some turnovers and Mount Gambier with good defence and accurate shooting opened up a 10-point break in the first half.

Mount Gambier started well in the second half and led by 15 points before Preece and McMahon landed some valuable three-point baskets.

Bannam and Morrissey again got busy after some solid work by Gibbins in defence.

Phillips again provided valuable minutes and Portland played their way back into the match.

An exciting last five-minutes saw Portland go down by one-point at the siren.

Mount Gambier defeated Portland 34 to 33.

Portland and Millicent meet again and this match saw a much better effort by Portland with coach Dave Groten please by a real “team performance”.

Gibbins and McMahon rebounded well and set the running brigade of Morrissey, Bannam and Preece up effectively.

Phillips was a real thorn in Millicent’s side with some sound defence and good attacking offence.

Portland ran out winners 45 to 23.

Portland and Mount Gambier faced off in the final with Portland jumping out to an early seven-point lead.

Accurate shooting from the visitors saw Mount Gambier just holding the lead at half time in a really entertaining game.

Mount Gambier jump out of the blocks early after half time and led by as much as 10-points.

Portland’s fortune slowly changed for the better with Mount Gambier in foul trouble, McMahon and Gibbins getting on top of their taller opponents.

Portland played great basketball in a see sawing game that saw Preece go the free throw line with Portland two points up and one minute to play, nailing both free throws and setting up a four-point win in a really entertaining match.

Portland’s Chelsea McMahon was best on court in the final.

Portland won 33 to 29.