Zitina Aokuso, Inspiring the Young
The 2015-16 BQJBC season came to an end on March 12 with its largest ever Grand Finals day, a massive 26 divisions being decided. South West Metro Basketball proudly hosted the finals at Hibiscus Sports Complex, a day that spanned over 13 hours of basketball!
In wrapping all Premier League results we begin with the U12 Boys which was an epic battle. A true basket for basket contest between Brisbane Capitals and Seahawks GC which had everyone on edge throughout, it was the Caps who would hang toughest to prevail 56-54. In the U12 Girls the formidable Southern Districts Spartans took on Logan Thunder, and in keeping their proud undefeated season intact, the Spartans would prove too good in this decider 70-22.
The Under 14 Boys Premier League final looked to be going all the Southern Districts Spartans way, and mid-way through the fourth they had the Northside Wizards staring down a double figure margin. However the Wizards staged a stunning fightback, holding the final possession and the chance to force overtime, however they couldn’t quite complete the turnaround with the Spartans holding out in a thriller 60-57. In the U16 Girls it was Gold Coast Waves taking on Logan Thunder, and the Waves lived up to their favouritism early opening up a handy half time lead. While the Thunder tried valiantly to close the margin through the back half, the Waves would be never headed to claim a deserved title 51-45.
Sunshine Coast Rip got off to an absolute flyer in the U16 Boys Premier League final, leading Southern Districts by 16 at the quarter, however the Spartans countered with a dominant second term to only trail by 7 at half. While the third was a tense arm wrestle, the Rip would work over their opposition in the latter stages to run away 85-69 victors. Across in the U16 Girls Premier League, South West Metro Pirates were uber impressive in the first half to lead Ipswich Force by 20 at the main break. While the Force did all the could to chip away at the margin, the Pirates would hold firm through at to comfortably claim the championship 79-60
In the Under 18 Boys Premier League decider the Gold Coast Waves proved too much for the Brisbane Capitals. With a fast start in which they continued to consolidate through each quarter, the Waves got home comfortably 91-59 to double up the State Championships Gold they claimed earlier in the year against the same opposition. In the U18 Girls it was Logan Thunder who would also claim their own BQJBC-State Championships double, however they would do it much tougher against a spirited Ipswich Force. The Force had their chances to cause the upset and would be left to rue these missed opportunities, the Thunder displaying real nerve in the dying stages to slip away deserved winners 81-76.
In the Under 21 Men’s final, the undefeated South West Metro Pirates were looking to leverage their home court and crowd advantage against the Brisbane Capitals. A high quality game where the lead swapped several times, the Capitals would hand the home side their only loss of the season to claim the game that matters most 81-76. A special mention also to Gold Coast Waves who earlier in the year accomplished an undefeated campaign to clinch the U21 Women’s title over South West Metro 63-52.
To close out the day’s proceedings, the Harold Peacock Shield was awarded to the overall champion association for the 2015-16 BQJBC season. In one of the most closely-fought tussles in recent memory, the outcome literally came down to the last grand finals on the day. In the end it was a unique finish with a two-way tie for the award – congratulations to both Brisbane Basketball and Southern Districts Basketball on sharing this season’s Harold Peacock Shield!
For grand final results in all divisions please click here:http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=1-4479-0-385096-0&a=COMPS
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