Broome Misfits steal gold from Esperance Pirates in over 40s basketball at Australian Masters Games in Perth

The Broome Misfits have stolen the gold medal from the Esperance Pirates in their first stint in the basketball tournament at the Australian Masters Games over 40 division on April 29 in Perth. The Esperance Pirates had defeated the Misfits in the round games of the tournament but thanks to some savvy adjustments to the Broome Misfits’ line-up they were able to knock the Pirates off their perch in the final with a three-pointer shot by Clinton Manado right on the siren winning them the game, 38 to 35. Broome Misfit Tim Tiller was the top point scorer for the match, shooting 10 in total closely followed by the best goal scorer for the Pirates Tristan Mackenzie who scored 9 for Esperance. Broome Misfits team member Grant Astles said without making the adjustments to the line-up they wouldn’t have been able to take down the Esperance team. “They scored 11 threes in one of the round games and they only scored two in the gold medal game and that was thanks to some really good defensive and offensive adjustments we made as a team,” he said. Mr Astles said it was one of the best games of basketball he had ever been a part of. “For everyone in the team to be on the scoreboard and to contribute in the final was great,” he said. “It was a great shared effort for the team to all commit to the outcome and to follow through and get it done.” Mr Astles said the tournament was good from both a basketball point of view and a social and emotional well-being perspective. “It was a good opportunity for guys from different backgrounds too get together and to share a common interest which resulted in a really great week,” he said. Age should be no barrier for people getting out there and having fun playing a team sport, Mr Astles said. “We have this motto, ‘you don’t stop playing because you’re old, you’re old because you stop playing’,” he said. “It’s not about winning or losing, or how well you play the game, it’s just about playing and we were really inspired by watching 60 and 70 year old guys get up and down the court — it was pretty spectacular.” The Misfits were sponsored by H&M Tracey Construction and Galvin‘s Plumbing Supplies without which, Mr Astles said, the winning trip down to Perth would not have been possible. “We’re very thankful to the supporters which provided financial support, no strings attached, which was fantastic.” The Australian Masters Games marked the return of major national participation events in WA since the borders reopened.