Tigers muzzle underdogs

Tigers’ roaring success has continued after completing a perfect run to secure the 2019 dry-season A-grade basketball premiership in a hard-fought contest on Thursday last week.

Tigers went up against underdogs Gantheaume Pointers in an action-packed A-grade grand final.

It was a tight contest from the tip-off, with strong defence from both teams. Although the Pointers built a lead early on, the Tigers rallied to match them and get in front with a late three-pointer from Brodie Albert leaving the scores at 11-8 at the first change.

The second quarter saw the Pointers fight hard in an early comeback, although Tigers’ Jahntaye Lawford extended his team’s lead from three-point range.

With the Pointers hot on the Tigers’ tail, both teams lifted in a bid to shut each other down.

However, the scores were level at 23-all at the main break.

The even contest continued in the third quarter, as the Pointers took the lead for the first time since the opening minutes. Although the Tigers fought hard to try and match the Pointers, late scoring efforts from Farand Thompson, Alexander Romano and Sean Williams extended the lead to 41-33 at the final change.

Spectators were left amazed during the final quarter when Tigers’ Latrell Matthews and Lawford bagged three-pointers early to make a comeback.

The contest soon became a tug of war for the lead, with each team matching each other basket for basket, including a three-pointer from Jess Healy to bring the scores level only for Matthews to take back the lead with a three-pointer of his own.

In a fiery finish, it was the Tigers who held on to win a second consecutive premiership, defeating the Pointers, 61-58.

Tigers skipper Latrell Matthews was later named the season’s MVP.

Elsewhere, All Volts defeated Dodge City Boys, 47-37, to secure the men’s social premiership while Peddlers have become the inaugural premiers of the women’s social competition with a 26-19 victory over Sainties.