Dandenong’s Ash Cannan contests a shot from Hume City’s Mike Spears during the Rangers’ 94-65 win on Saturday night.By Paul Pickering
BIG V League fans and promoters were granted their wish on the weekend as competition heavyweights Dandenong and Sandringham fought off their respective challengers to set up a blockbuster grand final rematch.
Reigning champions the Rangers sounded an ominous warning to their last remaining rival with a knockout 29-point preliminary final win over the Hume City Broncos.
The Sabres, meanwhile, narrowly accounted for the Waverley Falcons 115-110 at Sandringham to book their place in the grand final series for the sixth consecutive year.
Dandenong’s win was the product of 48 minutes of suffocating team defence, with the minor premiers conceding only 65 points.
The Rangers also monstered their opponents on the boards, winning the rebound count 52-31.
Captain Vince Inglima said Dandenong’s domination of the glass was the realisation of a vow made by his team after a loss to the Broncos five weeks ago.
“We had a meeting after that game and the main sticking point was that we had to get better collectively on the boards,” he said.
“Since then we’ve really reasserted ourselves and Saturday was a prime example of that.”
Ash Cannan was again the catalyst for the Rangers, ripping down 16 rebounds and shooting 27 points, while Inglima contributed 21 points and seven boards of his own.
The Rangers and Sabres will face off in game one of the grand final series at Sandringham Basketball Stadium on Saturday night, reviving a rivalry that has intensified with each encounter over the past 18 months.
While both sides have had major personnel changes since last year, including Simon Conn jumping from Dandenong to Sandringham in the off-season, the Rangers have held sway 2-1 in 2007.
Most recently, Dandenong defeated the Sabres 90-81 two weeks ago to secure home court advantage for the grand final series.
There has been speculation during the year that the sides dislike one another, but Inglima says it is a relationship of mutual respect.
“The way I see it, we and Sandringham play the hardest in the Big V – period,” he said.
“And I think that’s going to be stepped up another notch in this series.
While the undeniable quality of both teams ensures there will be great match-ups all over the court, the battle of the pivot between South Dragons team-mates Brent Hobba and Conn will be crucial.
Elsewhere, Cannan will have his hands full with Sabres import George Williams, and Inglima will get the versatile David Moore.
Rangers point man Mick Wheeler will be hard pressed to repeat his defensive lock-down on Sabres general Adam Quick a fortnight ago, when he kept the dangerous guard scoreless.
The battle begins at 7.30pm on Saturday at Sandringham Basketball Stadium.
Rangers administration has put aside 100 tickets for the away game, with bookings available on 9583 4481.
Games two, and three (if required), will be at Dandenong Basketball Stadium on Saturday, 11 August at 7.30pm and Sunday, 12 August at 2pm.
