Season’s stand-outs receive top honour

Matt Leary has continued his stellar season to tie with Justin Benson for the Albany Basketball Association men’s A-grade most valuable player for 2016-17.

Leary, who plays for Raiders’ under-18 development squad, finished equal with Barking Owls captain Benson on 42 votes after averaging 14.3 points a game across the season.

The 17-year-old also won the Hayden Kirkwood Trophy as the best under-18 player in the competition. Leary was recently selected for the WA Country under-18 side for the second straight year to cap a strong season on the court.

Benson averaged 15.5 points a game to lead Owls to another minor premiership.

It was the veteran’s 11th A-grade MVP award.

Ambassadors’ Caleb Carmen finished second with 30 votes, while Keanu Weedon of Wolves finished third on 27 votes.

In the women’s A-grade competition, Flames’ Zandalee Arthur won her second straight MVP award after averaging 13.5 points a game.

Arthur finished with 48 votes ahead of Magpies’ Jasmyne Jones on 40 votes. “It’s an honour in such a great competition with a great bunch of young players,” she said.

Tetleys Juniors’ Lisa Amess took out the women’s B-grade division 1 MVP award, while Railways’ Zane Marwick claimed the men’s B-grade division 1 MVP.

Limeburners’ Raymond Antiporta was the men’s B-grade division 2 MVP and Sabres’ Tamara Lowry won the women’s B-grade division 2 award.

Vikings’ Bradley Willock was the MVP in the men’s vets league.