Crabs and Mt Barker win men and women’s B-grade titles on thrilling night of grand final action in ABA

Griffins Spurs clinched premiership glory in thrilling fashion, coming from behind in the dying minutes to pinch victory in the Albany Basketball Association Year 11-12 boys division one grand final on Friday night. Infernos were the first team into the decider and the Spurs won through the elimination final and then knocked out top-ranked team Bethel Bulls. A strong opening half helped the Spurs to a five-point lead but in a seesawing second half Infernos hit back. They scored several points with strong moves in the keyway and stole back the advantage inside the final five minutes. The Spurs, however, wouldn’t go away and some clutch free-throw shooting in the dying minutes and then a huge defensive stop secured an epic one-point grand final win, 36-35. Classy guard Zac Beeck was named grand final most valuable player, a key contributor in the tense final few plays. Jayden-Paul Devenish led all scorers with 15 points and Jack Gleeson (nine points) and Beeck played their part in offence. For Infernos, Jordan Pansoy never gave up and tipped in 11 points while Malvin Tamuka-Bangi scored eight but fouled out. Mt Barker claimed the women’s B-grade division one title, downing hot favourites Cougars by three points. It was another close finish, Mt Barker holding off a late charge from Cougars who finished on top of the ladder. Monique Krakouer had 11 points while Savannah Beveridge (6) won grand final MVP honours as Mt Barker prevailed 21-18 in a tense final few minutes. Not for the first time, Crabs secured men’s B-grade division one glory as they prevailed in an exciting finish over Dragons. The two evenly matched teams traded baskets for much of the decider before Crabs got the upper hand midway through the second period. Scores were level at one stage in the dying minutes but the experienced Crabs outfit held firm. Corey Hill was important with 11 points for the winners. Stuart Roberts (7) was named grand final MVP and Wade Eskett (9) hit two from long range in the 30-26 triumph. Dragons pair Tom Powell (8) and Jackson Pitman (6) toiled hard all night. Griffins took out the junior double as Griffins Stars won the Year 11-12 girls grand final. Stars trailed by a point to Infernos at half-time but rallied and produced a superb last half to win by eight points. Lily Parker-Halstead won grand final MVP honours with nine points and teammate Madeleine Byrne scored 10 in the 31-23 result. Bin Chickens are the men’s B-grade division two champions after downing Doozys 38-27 with Stuart Thomas named grand final MVP with 10 points. A 12-point effort from grand final MVP Lincoln East helped Blue Ballers down Centurions by three points in the men’s B-grade division three decider. Beans won a single-point thriller in the women’s B-grade division two, with Jo Carman named grand final MVP. In the men’s vets decider, Barking Owls prevailed by nine points over Weary Warriors with Chris Tschabotar named grand final MVP. Mixtures won the women’s vets title as Reini Henrickson was named grand final MVP with nine points in the 13-7 triumph over The Flames. Predators took home the Year 11-12 boys division two premiership after beating Infernos 38-24 and Jhett Morrison-Carter was named grand final MVP.