Dragons fire up over plucky Pacers

Dragons completed an undefeated season after overcoming a determined Pacers by 15 points in the Albany Basketball Association upper boys’ high division 1 grand final last Friday night.

The entertaining contest resulted in six lead changes in the second half until Dragons broke clear in the final 10 minutes to win 58-43.

The margin did not exceed five points in the first half until Dragons, led by grand final most valuable player Henrick Alforque (12 points), Kye Griffiths (13) and Taj Williams (10), broke the game open. Pacers’ duo Henry Alforque (14) and Tyler Willmore (12) were impressive in defeat.

In the upper girls’ high division one grand final, Crystal Blues’ run of premierships came to an end at the hands of Grammar Sparks.

Aiming for a hat-trick of titles, Blues fought back from an eight-point half-time deficit to draw level in the final minutes but were denied by a free throw to Tahliah Dimer and the final two points to grand final MVP Kasey Warren, as Grammar won 45-42.

Warren starred with 17 points while centre Nina Smith led all scorers with 20 points.

For the Blues, Kayla Thomas finished with 16 points and Indianna Weeden added 11.

In other grades, Cobbers won back-to-back premierships in the men’s B-grade division 1 with a 47-39 win over Old Stars, while Cougars claimed a thrilling one-point win over Phoenix 20-19 in the women’s B-grade decider.

Vikings claimed the men’s vets title, downing Wannabees 35-26, Nets edged out Deep Heat 38-32 in the men’s B-grade division 2 and Outlaws prevailed over Shubakas 31-26 in division 3.B