The Dandenong Rangers men’s team celebrate their first Big V championship.Melissa Colcott was just one member of the Dandenong Rangers women’s team to shoot poorly.By Marc McGowan
THE Dandenong Rangers men’s team are celebrating their first Big V basketball championship, while the women’s squad ponders what might have been.
In a top-class encounter, the men’s side overcame a defiant Sandringham team 118-106 in front of a sell-out crowd, coming from three points down at the final change to win the grand final series 2-0.
“It’s only just starting to sink in,” head coach Warren Dawson said.
“I’m getting more pleasure watching them celebrate.”
After the Rangers emerged triumphant 103-85 in game one at Dandenong Basketball Stadium, the series moved to Sandringham for game two.
As in the opener, Sandringham jumped out of the blocks well and had a small lead at the end of an offence-packed first period.
The Sabres hit a scorching 65 per cent from the field, including four from nine from behind the arc.
The game continued to be tight in the second quarter but it was Dandenong that edged to the front by half-time, despite Sandringham’s shooting remaining hot.
The Sabres’ offence cooled off in the third term but made enough of their chances to take a three-point break into the decisive period.
“I just told them that there’s still 12 minutes to play and that it was a long time,” Dawson said.
So it proved, as the Rangers’ revered defence went to work and their offence kicked up a notch.
Dandenong tied up the contest with three minutes to play and then careered away with the match and the series.
Lester Strong was sensational with 36 points and 15 boards, while Mark Roberts continued his grand final scoring binge with 22 points.
The duo was ably backed by South Dragons’ recruit Brent Hobba with 25 points, and finals revelation Ash Cannan who recorded yet another double-double.
The grand final most valuable player (MVP) award went to Sabre and Melbourne Tiger point guard Nathan Crosswell, who hit a phenomenal 38 points, along with eight dimes, in game two.
“It was the best individual performance I’ve ever seen in an ABA (Australian Basketball Association) game,” Dawson said.
“The game itself was a hell of a game. It was the highest standard I’ve seen at ABA level.”
After going down at home in game one, the women’s team was always going to have trouble pegging Sandringham back and was crushed 60-47 in game two to lose the series.
The women were struggling from the outset, with the Sabres dominating proceedings in the opening stanza to lead 15-7, before an even second period left the Rangers behind by eight at the half-time break.
Sandringham asserted its authority once again in the third quarter, smashing Dandenong 21-13 to open up a commanding 16-point buffer.
The Rangers failed to shoot better than 30 per cent for the second game running and only one player – Jess Shearing – shot better than 50 per cent in game two.
Sabre Carla Mathieson was named grand final MVP for her outstanding shooting performances, totalling 30 points and seven from 14 from downtown.
All four grand final sides will now play in this weekend’s national championships in Newcastle.
