Commercial Club Bandits are 2015 SEABL East Conference Champions!
By Chris Young The Border Mail
THE Albury-Wodonga Bandits held off a fast finishing Geelong Supercats to claim their third SEABL conference title, 84-78.
The final margin mirrored that of the Bandits’ semi-final win over the Supercats, but it could have been more thanks to a dominant third quarter performance from Clay McMath.
The former Townsville big man put a wobbly first quarter behind him to reel in a game high 21-points, which included five threes.
His influence was such that throughout the third quarter and early in the final term the home side threatened to inflict a painful drubbing on the Cats, leading by as much as 18-points early in the last quarter.
But as they have a number of times when holding a sizeable lead, the Bandits allowed Geelong to get back into the game, giving them an equalizer with 90 seconds to play.
As they have done all year though, the Bandits hit back when it looked like they were out for the count.
Donte Nicholas gave the home side a two-point lead from the free-throw line, before a steal from Deba George set the Bandits up for a four point lead, which he then extended to six with free throws.
Kimmani Barrett and Nick Owusu stood up to the pressure when their turn came at the line, cutting the margin to just two points, before plays from Matt de Koeyer, McMath and Cory Dixon whipped the home crowd into a frenzy.
The Lauren Jackson Sports Centre erupted at the final siren, as coach Brad Chalmers secured the second SEABL conference win of his four-year tenure.
Both sides had to put a sloppy first quarter behind them, before the game opened up in the second quarter and after the main break.
McMath recovered the best of anyone on the court, at one point getting up after hitting the deck in the paint to nail a three-point shot from the baseline just seconds later.
We brought the group together to win a championship, there's no doubt about that. - Coach Brad Chalmers
The victorious Bandits were riding high after their fairytale victory.
“I have no words,” George said after the game.
“It feels amazing, I can't explain it.
“I'm just happy to be part of it.
“We're not done yet though, we've got one more game to go.”
Nothing was stopping MVP Cory Dixon from savouring the win.
“This is what we came here for,” Dixon said.
“Nobody expected Albury-Wodonga to win a championship, the team hadn't been in the playoffs for two years.
“This feels good. It feels really good.”
McMath had support on the scoreboard from George (20 points), while Nicholas and Dixon both hauled in double-doubles.
Barrett was best for the visitors with 20 points and 12 rebounds, with Ash Cannan (15 points) providing a lively supporting act.
The Bandits will travel to Dandenong on Saturday, where they will face Mt Gambier for the SEABL title.
THE Albury-Wodonga Bandits held off a fast finishing Geelong Supercats to claim their third SEABL conference title, 84-78.
The final margin mirrored that of the Bandits’ semi-final win over the Supercats, but it could have been more thanks to a dominant third quarter performance from Clay McMath.
The former Townsville big man put a wobbly first quarter behind him to reel in a game high 21-points, which included five threes.
His influence was such that throughout the third quarter and early in the final term the home side threatened to inflict a painful drubbing on the Cats, leading by as much as 18-points early in the last quarter.
But as they have a number of times when holding a sizeable lead, the Bandits allowed Geelong to get back into the game, giving them an equalizer with 90 seconds to play.
As they have done all year though, the Bandits hit back when it looked like they were out for the count.
Donte Nicholas gave the home side a two-point lead from the free-throw line, before a steal from Deba George set the Bandits up for a four point lead, which he then extended to six with free throws.
Kimmani Barrett and Nick Owusu stood up to the pressure when their turn came at the line, cutting the margin to just two points, before plays from Matt de Koeyer, McMath and Cory Dixon whipped the home crowd into a frenzy.
The Lauren Jackson Sports Centre erupted at the final siren, as coach Brad Chalmers secured the second SEABL conference win of his four-year tenure.
Both sides had to put a sloppy first quarter behind them, before the game opened up in the second quarter and after the main break.
McMath recovered the best of anyone on the court, at one point getting up after hitting the deck in the paint to nail a three-point shot from the baseline just seconds later.
We brought the group together to win a championship, there's no doubt about that. - Coach Brad Chalmers
The victorious Bandits were riding high after their fairytale victory.
“I have no words,” George said after the game.
“It feels amazing, I can't explain it.
“I'm just happy to be part of it.
“We're not done yet though, we've got one more game to go.”
Nothing was stopping MVP Cory Dixon from savouring the win.
“This is what we came here for,” Dixon said.
“Nobody expected Albury-Wodonga to win a championship, the team hadn't been in the playoffs for two years.
“This feels good. It feels really good.”
McMath had support on the scoreboard from George (20 points), while Nicholas and Dixon both hauled in double-doubles.
Barrett was best for the visitors with 20 points and 12 rebounds, with Ash Cannan (15 points) providing a lively supporting act.
The Bandits will travel to Dandenong on Saturday, where they will face Mt Gambier for the SEABL title.
Photo courtesy of The Border Mail
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