Talented Albany pair Abbi Gibson and Brodie Dixon win under-17 State champs playing for South West Slammers

Star Albany duo Abbi Gibson and Brodie Dixon played a key role in helping the South West Slammers claim the under-17 girls Basketball WA State Championship at the weekend. Dixon and Gibson played for the Slammers during the fourth and final week of the State Championships in Perth and walked away victorious. The Slammers won three of their five regular games to finish second in their pool before defeating Warwick Senators in their cross-over semifinal on Sunday to book a grand final berth. The two teams that finished second in their pool faced off in the decider, with the Slammers battling Cockburn Cougars for the title and the Slammers prevailing in a thrilling contest 28-27. The Slammers trailed by six points at the main break and did not hit the lead until the dying moments of the decider. Scores were level inside the first five minutes of the contest, but from there Cougars took the lead for the majority of the game until the Slammers snatched it inside the final minute. Addison Edwards knocked down a two-pointer to hand the Slammers a thrilling one-point grand final victory. Gibson finished with two points in the grand final. The Albany duo dominated in the semifinal combining for 23 points as they won 52-28 over Warwick Senators. Gibson dropped two triples on her way to 14 points and Dixon hit three from long range for her nine points to help them advance to the decider. In their first game on Friday the Slammers lost to Mandurah Magic 38-30 with Gibson scoring two points. Gibson knocked down five points in their second game as they prevailed over Lakeside Lightning 28-25. The Slammers defeated Eastern Suns 31-24 with Gibson adding 10 points and Dixon hitting one from long range. Perry Lakes Hawks narrowly edged out the Slammers, 28-26, in their fourth game with Gibson scoring two points. Dixon finished with four points and Gibson added three in the Slammers’ 32-25 win over Rockingham Flames in the last qualifying game.