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ATHLETICS White can be touted one of the greatest teams in the Hamilton Amateur Basketball Association’s history, after its 35-point demolition of St Mary’s Orange in Tuesday night’s division one grand final at HILAC.It was Athletics’ third straight premiership, all against St Mary’s Orange, which for the latter, has been the hard luck story of the HABA.
Going into the match, St Mary’s would have been confident having defeating the White side by 17 points in the preliminary final two weeks earlier.
Athletics were without league MVP Paul McKellar on the night, while Will Blake, who had a solid season with the Saints, would be missing due to injury in the grand final.
This proved decisive for Athletics as it was able to exposed St Mary’s for its lack of height, finding it easier to get inside the key and score. The Saints struggled to penetrate, and forced shots from beyond the arc meant White had control from the early stages of the game.
From the tip off, Athletics scored inside the first four seconds of the match and from there, led all the way to the final siren.
The major threat for Aths was always going to be Sam Brewer, who can turn the game with his perimeter shooting, and it was clear Athletics were mindful of this fact.
The eventual premier played a tight zone in defence instead of playing man to man, while keeping a close check on Brewer.
This left Tom Waters open. While still very young, he can shoot, but his first four attempts in the field failed and the pressure was mounting.
Brewer’s first two three-point attempts missed, but he was fouled on both occasions and he made no mistake from the foul line, sinking all six shots.
Early on Saints weren’t far off the mark, creating opportunities, but the ball wouldn’t drop, whereas Athletics quick movement saw it gain good positions to score and the White boys did.
Brent Forsyth and Jason Muldoon were working hard for the Saints, but lacked support, while the teamwork of Athletics was impressive to watch.
At the 10-minute mark of the first half, Aths led 21-13, but when the tight defence of St Mary’s forced a shot clock violation, the Saints were able to swing the momentum and got to within four points at the nine-minute mark.
From here, Athletics snapped into gear and went on a 22-point run without the Saints scoring.
It was five minutes St Mary’s would love to have back, as it was from here, that there was no looking back for Athletics.
With three minutes to go in the half, the score was 44-17, a deficit that was always going to be tough to make.
Paul McKellar was leading from the front, while Matt Cameron and Shane Baker were having a big impact on the scoreboard too.
All around, Athletics had more contributors, hence the big lead.
Even in defence, Steve Boyd was a rick, and Adrian Calvano was dogged in his attack for the ball, throwing himself at loose balls and forcing the turnovers.
At half-time, White lead 46-23. The massive crowd was rather subdued, as it expected another close battle between these two arch rivals.
St Mary’s demise was the lack of shots put up by Brewer either inside or beyond the arc.
He had two foiled attempts at three, which he was fouled and made the most of, but only had two other shots for the half, which were missed.
It wasn’t through any fault of his own. His teammates need to realise they need Brewer scoring. St Mary’s have good players, but realistically, Brewer is to St Mary’s, what Michael Jordan was to the Chicago Bulls.
He was starved of space, and when he found the space, the ball went the other way.
The pressure was now on the Saints and it needed to fire straight away. Forsyth gave his team the perfect start, scoring a three pointer.
The joy was short lived though as Athletics again took control of the match, scoring well under the ring, while Brewer and co struggled to penetrate.
Waters and Brewer, two good shooters on most nights, had a second half to forget. Actually, they had games they would want to forget.
There was no doubt which team was going to win, and the final 10 minutes was more like a training run with the zap taken out of the game.
There were flashes of brilliance from both teams, but it was for nothing as the final siren saw Athletics up 82-47.
McKellar finished the match with 21 points and 10 rebounds to be named MVP, topping off the perfect season for the talented utility.
He won the season MVP, grand final MVP, the premiership and coached the Monivae Flames to the division one flag in the women’s competition.
Boyd had 18 points and four rebounds, while Morgan Newns, who was well held in offence by Muldoon, dragged down 15 rebounds, proving how valuable he is in the key.
For St Mary’s, Brewer top scored with 12, 10 of which came from the foul line. He was down in the second half after a lack of chances in the first.
He finished with a shooting percentage of seven per cent, which simply isn’t good enough for a player of his calibre.
It was an even spread of scoring for the Saints with Mark Dorman, Waters and Muldoon all scoring eight points.
From here, there is developments from rival clubs already being put in place, but Athletics White don’t look like being knocked off their perch.
They are a team in their prime, that could easily go another two, three or even four season as the champions.
St Mary’s will find more talent, with Elliott Loughlin rumoured to be on the radar, and Lachie and Gareth Crawford are set to join Saints Black, so the challengers will be there, but can this established, team orientated group of mates, be beaten just yet?
Time will tell.
