Albany basketball star Matt Leary named most valuable player in Perry Lakes’ WABL championship victory

Star Albany basketballer Matt Leary produced a stunning grand final performance to lift Perry Lakes Hawks to victory in the WA Basketball League championship men’s title at Bendat Basketball Centre earlier this month.

Leary was named most valuable player in the 15-point victory after knocking down nine three pointers on his way to a match-winning 34 points in the decider against Lakeside Lightning on August 15.

The Hawks finished the season as minor premiers and after a tough contest in the first three quarters, Leary and teammates stepped up in the final term.

Leary hit four long-range baskets in the final quarter as his side finished 82-67 winners.

The championship division is the league below the NBL1 West competition, for which the Hawks are playing in a preliminary final this Saturday.

“It meant so much to win the grand final,” Leary said.

“The group of guys we have, the team chemistry and the way we play just makes it so much fun, so to come up short last year was hard but to be able to bounce back in yet another COVID-19 season made the victory so much sweeter to be honest.

“MVP wasn’t exactly what I was playing for in all honesty, whilst it’s nice to be recognised it’s not really what I was focused on in the game or even the season.

“I was just happy I could contribute to a group of guys that make my life easier on and off the court.

“Honestly wasn’t really ‘feeling it’ until about the fourth quarter, I was just trying to stay focused on each possession and do the one percenters before anything else.”

The Hawks face the winner of tomorrow night’s semifinal between Willetton Tigers and Perth Redbacks for a grand final spot.