Tuesday Grand Finals has come around and were witness to the best teams this season who made it through the grueling long covid season and survived or dominated the playoffs to earn a chance to win it all and make their claim as the best team in their Div!
First up was the Division 1 Grand Finals, Chargers, the 1st rank all season only copped 2 losses, and didn’t seem like they wanted to lost this one, but neither did FAC, the feisty team which has been getting slowly better and more offensively dangerous.
First quarter was a nailbiter, with both teams employing different styles, the FAC crew looked to get going on the break searching for cherries to pick and Chargers were all about the halfcourt structure and getting open looks. Chargers did well but seemed to be on the back foot as Oscar dropped 8 points on the break in the quarter, Jarryd on 6, Tim S led Chargers with 5, both teams’ stats indistinguishable, FAC had 2 more steals but otherwise a super even game with FAC up 2 as we move onto the 2nd period of action.
2nd quarter saw FAC get a change of defense from Chargers, looking to stop the hot shooting from Oscar and Jarryd.but nothing was slowing them down as they piled in 15 points between them driving and hitting pull up mid range shots, keeping the lead while stopping the Chargers’ bigs from getting easy put backs. BOth Teams shooting just above 30%, FAC on 34 to 31 from Chargers, whos shot selection matched the FAC attack almost exactly, FAC seeing the line more which was the 4 point difference in the match up to this point. Oscar had 18 points on 50% shooting, Jarryd on 11 and 9 rebounds, whilst Chargers had REggie K on 11 starting to heat up and Greg on 8, Tim S getting some looks with 7points. With the game pretty much 2 baskets from a change of momentum, the 2nd hald was anyones to grab.
the second half commenced and this time is was Chargers time to make a run, the guards getting loose on the fast break got the undermanned FAC a little tired of chasing the loaded up Chargers, a 20-11 run in this quarter to get themselves a 5 point lead now taking the momentum from FAC, despite Jarryd still scoring well from the midrange still. Chargers improving their shooting percentage to 40% and FAC sat just above 30% slowly losing the battle on the defensive boards, FAC missed a few free throws that couldve kept the game even, the 4th quarter was the deciding one with only 5 points in it…
Straight out of the gates Tim S was locked in and hit 2 threes in a row putting the lead out to 11, then Greg hit a 3 and it was all Chargers…TIm S ended up hitting 5 threes in the quarter, a mhuge dagger into FACs defense,one they wouldnt recover from and copped an 11+ loss to the dominant and consistent Chargers who ranked 1st in the season and take out the UBL TUesday Championship! Great effort with a spread scoring attack, 4 players in double digits to FACs 3. A good display of basketball from the elite of Tuesdays.
Big mentions to the big contributions from players in the game, Oscar S 28pts 5 rebounds on 52% shooting, a huge effort and game but just not enough for the win, jarryd T on 21 points and 15 rebounds! a huge double double in the grand finals also getting 4 assists and 3 steals!, Zoran also gota monster double double with 13pts and 13 rebs.
But the winner this time has bigger stats, and Chargers had Tim S go off for 6 threes and 20 points on 54% shooting overall, huge game from the vet! Reggie K worked his magic and got a tidy 21 points, 7 assists, and 6 rebounds! Caleb pulling in a monster 17 rebounds and Matty B on 13points getting his streak on the break!
Great final game, both teams gave it their all till the end and the greater team won this game, Chargers WELL DONE! UBL Tuesday champions!
Div 2 had 2 very different teams but a great match up of the best 2 teams that made it through the playoff rounds and landed them a chance to beat eaech other for the final time this season or go home empty handed…
1st quarter was up and down..Starting close but then the Scorgasms pushed the ball into the paint and got busy on the glass, getting 3 more offensive rebounds and hitting 6 more shots inside giving them the lead by 11 at the end of the quarter, MIchael H and Ali M both on 8 points getting their beaks wet early with some mid rangers. Ivan C put the oven on preheat with 6 points so far getting loose for the next 3 quarters. Scorgams didnt turn the ball over all quarter but forced 5 from the Ducks…22-11 the score, Ducks needed to start fighting soon!
2nd quarter the baskets went back and forth both teams answering each others shots in different ways, reaching for every ball always looking for the quick open shot. It was a controlled quarter by Scorgasms as they took it inside more and got a few floaters to go keeping the Ducks chasing the lead brining it close, then back out to 10, which was the scoreline at the half. Both teams playing well on both ends so far, the gap made by the 1st quarter still not covered yet by the Ducks. At halftime Ivan C had 10 points, Sam also on 10 for Fighting Ducks, and on Multiple Scorgasms, Michael H had 12 and Ali M on 10 for the team who were shooting 435 from the field getting 6 more steals than the Ducks also.
3rd quarter time came around and as the players got back off the bench, semi warmed down, the tip was thrown up and action was back on! the pace in this 12 minutes picked up with fast breaks every other possession keeping the players running and there wasnt much happening from downtown with all the work done on the inside. This quarter was team ball with the forwards getting work done for Scorgasms, Ducks had Sam score 10 in the qtr but needed another scorer to get the same. Scorgasms did it a little better and caught the defense not running back a couple of times and they got lead by 20..
4th and final quarter looked like a runaway for Scorgasms, and it was with some resistance that Ducks went down to the multiple fast breaks and open shots. The gas was gone from The ducks…the fight too, trying to jack up hopeful threes and take it full court to try and spark a run to cover the big gap but it wasnt to be this time. Ali got hungry in the middle with some easy floaters and the forwards kept active and cutting for open layups. The eventual score was larger than expected, but a good game to finish on for the Scorgasms franchise that has started from the bottom, and now they here! great work to them and a commendable effort from Fighting ducks, a great season unlucky in the finals this time without all their troops ready to battle for this final game.
Big mentions to the stat getters… Ivan C on 25 points and 10 rebounds on 41% shooting, playing like a Baller out of control all season putting gin huge numbers carrying a lot of the load for Ducks, a great finishing game but a slower start for him with so much defense targeting him. Sam got hungry and efficient in game as he also gets 25 points and 8 rebounds on a super efficient 58% shooting from the field. The team shot 35% and did well to get looks but had 6 more turnovers and 15 less rebounds which cost them this game. For Scorgasms, Ali M the MVP for this game with 22 points 4 rebs 4ast and 3 steals on 48% shooting, a scoring output needed and he delivered as he had so many times for SCorgrasms this season. Michael H stepped up massively as he got 17 points on 46% shooting, hitting pull up shots at crucial times to seal the win, James UC a Monster in the paint the game, a double double with 10 points and 12 revs on 57% shooting, his skills have improved big time since starting out in the early days. Brayden the Red mamba with a solid 10points and 6 rebs a solid contribution after the game winner in the semis to get them here.
Awesome game with a great bunch of guys who battled with great sportsmanship till the final buzzer. Well done to Fighting ducks, a great season to just fall short in the final game, Multiple Scorgasms had the night locked up and have risen up to be the best team in a competitive Div 2 which they have had many season building up to! Well done!
Div 3 was predicted to be a close one, a test of endurance Warriors getting the ball to their main scorers and working within their roles,
The tip off went up and the players started the scramble for buckets and control. The first quarter giving everyone some time to shake off the nerves and get into their offensive groove. The Ultra spacing well and were patient for open looks, both teams shooting about 30% after 1 quarter, Jake P with 9 points and 5 rebs already, David J with 4 for Warriors, whilst Christian had a strong first with 6 points. The Warriors up 5 after 12 mins as both teams struggled to get easy looks with all the hands contesting every shot. This 5 point lead would haunt Ultra all game.
2nd quarter action had both teams hit the ground running, Ultra pushing the ball around the wings trying to get 3s up and cover the gap, and they made a few and got some stops getting 2 3 pointers from Jake P which boosted the boys up and gave them some energy to try and stop Jake P who was a menace in the paint drawing a wall of D but drawing fouls with his veteran tactics, scoring 16 so far and 7 rebs, but moreover causing big problems for the Ultra inside defense. David J also helped out in the half with 6 points as the team was shooting 36% taking the ball inside every chance. The Ultra boys were starting to cook, with Jake P on 7 points and Christian building on his quick start with 8 so far, the teams shooting just under 30% but matching the rest of the stats with Warriors. The 1st half was over and the score was 26-24 Warriors, only 2 buckets in it, it was anyones game to win!
The second half started and the grind continued for both teams, the back and forth was amazing, with each team trying to full court horse, if one team his a 3 the other would come back and try get one. Jake P still too much for Ultra inside as they allowed him to go to the line and recover and get some free throws which he had hit 12 so far, 26 points in the match to this point and Ultra had to step up and lock him down allowing others to get going. Adam R was starting to get his way with shots with 7 points and Christian was active with 15points so far, Warriors not able to hit 3s at all, and Ultra still trygin to get it going from outside, the gap was only 4 by the Warriors by the end of the 3rd.
4th was apparently the final quarter, but with neither team really havin the upper hand, it was up to individuals to step up and make something happen, and Jake P pushed it inside for Ultra and copped some hits to send him to the line again, scoring 5 in the quarter which was the gap needed to cover… In the last minutes of the 4th, with Ultra up 1, and possession, Jake P was sent to the line after getting hit on a drive, hitting 1 free throw put Ultra up 2..back down the other end Jake P got fouled and went to the line for 2 shots, biggest shots of his day, and he sank them, to tie the game up. Last shot attempts went short and we had OVERTIME!
Overtime period commenced with both teams super on edge as they 1st bucket usually is the clincher in overtime, and it was back and forth with no scoring, some free throws but no makes, and some big time defense with no score conversion, Ultra had a few chances on the break to seal the win but it wasn’t until the final moments just as the siren was about to sound, Warriors had a sideline possession, and Stu C got the inbound pass from David J, took a dribble and put up a baseline jumper which had money written all over it! With that shot, the championship was won and fought hard for by the Shellharbour Warriors! Ultra instinct falling victim to the basketball gods this game as they were bested in the most heartbreaking way after fighting so hard to force OT. Ulltra balled out, a great season for then as they just fell short of the mark to a HUGE clutch playoff moment that im sure all who took part, will remember forever!
Big mentions to the top performers in this game with great statlines. For the runner ups, Ultra had Christian C get a team high 17 points and 7 rebounds, 3 steals in his first grand finals game doing work for his team. Jake P kept his mentality for scoring and notched 12 points 5 rebounds, and Adam R an almost double double performance with 9 points and 11 rebounds, which was unfortunately for them outdone by Warriors bigs who were led by the mad who carried the team all season on his huge back, the Steven Adams of UBL, Jake ‘the Pakman’ Paku who hammered in a huge 29 points and 9 rebounds, 3 assists on 39% shooting, and MVP performance hitting 15 free throws to help with this win, David J was active everywhere and showed on the stat sheet with 7 points and 9 rebounds, Stu C the co MVP for this game who pulled in a massive 20 rebounds to go with his 6 points to which 2 of them was the biggest, a Grand Finals Game winner that will go down in UBL history!
Great season to all teams who took part. A great night to play basketball on and many huge moments throughout!
Next season is to be huge, with more teams and more action, keep the recovery and mental game priority this off season, UBL will resume Mid November for more action right here!
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