November 11, 2015
The Grand Final of the Kingaroy Basketball Association’s women’s competition was decided after the full-time hooter sounded on Wednesday night.
After a gripping final quarter, the scores were locked at 26-all between Green Machine and Blue Steel.
But just as the clocked ticked down to zero, a Green Machine player fouled Blue Steel captain Karen Garner.
As Garner walked to the free throw line, a supporter yelled out “No pressure Karen!”.
Garner laughed, steadied and then coolly dropped both shots through the basket to give the game to Blue Steel 28-26.
It had been a very close grand final with the lead swapping several times.
At the end of the first quarter, Green Machine led 4-3. At half-time, Blue Steel were just on top, 8-6.
The Blues extended their lead to 20-15 at the end of the third quarter, but Greens fought back strongly in the last quarter to be in the lead 24-22 with less than two minutes left.
But then with 1:36 left on the clock, Blues shot a two-point basket to even the scores at 24-all.
A series of missed field shots, fouls and free shots in the final seconds kept supporters on the edge of their seats.
A Greens’ free shot took them back to the lead 25-24 at the 1:23 mark.
At 48.55 seconds, Blues missed two free shots before slotting home a two-point basket, to regain the lead by one point.
At 42.97 seconds, Greens earned two more free shots. The first missed but the second went through, evening the scoreboard again, 26-all.
At 33:41 seconds and 7:18 seconds Blues took more free shots. All four missed.
Then with just over two seconds left, Greens had their chance. Both their free shots missed … and then as play resumed they fouled and the full-time siren sounded.
Blues players started hugging each other as Karen’s first shot went in, and then started jumping for joy as the second slotted home as well.
In a great display of good sportmanship, all players from both teams locked arms in a circle after the game to finish the season on a high note.
* * *
Most Improved For The Season – Aimee Freeman – Green Machine
Player of the Final – Karen Garner – Blue Steel
Encouragement Award – Emma Hilsley – Hayley’s Comets
* * *
Results for men’s games played on November 10:
A Grade
- Sharks 80 def TNT 44
- Thunder 57 def Lightning 25
- Space Jam 75 def Spartans 66
B Grade
- Barracudas 44 def Panthers 37
- Heat 36 def Blue Lightning 34
* * *
A Grade Ladder
1. Thunder – 42 pts
2. Space Jam – 39 pts
3. Sharks – 35 pts
4. TNT – 23 pts
5. Spartans – 20 pts
6. Lightning – 19 pts
B Grade Ladder
1. Heat – 26 pts
2. Sonics – 25 pts
3. Barracudas – 21 pts
4. Blue Lightning – 19 pts
5. Panthers – 15 pts
