A successful Grand Final Day at Bendat Basketball Centre for our WABL Championship Men’s and Women’s divisions concluded with two worthy champions being crowned for the 2021 season.
In the Women’s grand final, the minor premiers Goldfields Giants took on Lakeside Lightning Purple, with the match-up of Jemma Gatti (Giants) and Kyrah Daniels (Lightning) being the most intriguing heading into the match. However, it was Lakeside’s Jae Flynn who took the match by storm, with five 3-pointers and 18 points, while Kiriana Hawaikirangi (15 points) and Jaya Scafidi (14 points) had three 3s each to keep the Giants in the game in the fourth quarter. It was Lakeside who ran out the game strong, winning the championship with a 66–57 victory. Flynn was named Grand Final MVP.
In the Men’s grand final, the Lakeside Lightning looked to make it a championship double when they took on the minor premiers Perry Lakes Hawks. Led by swingman Matthew Leary, the Hawks took control of the game in the fourth quarter, with Leary finishing on 34 points with nine 3-pointers, including four 3s in the final term. For Lakeside, crafty guard Kayden Malseed finished with a team-high 14 points. The Hawks claimed championship victory with an 82–67 win, with Leary earning Grand Final MVP honours.
Grand Finals wrap
Women
Goldfields Giants 57 vs LAKESIDE LIGHTNING PURPLE 66 Click here for box score
Grand Final MVP: Jae Flynn (Lightning)
Referees: Casey Hayes and Alex Godfrey
Men
PERRY LAKES HAWKS 82 vs Lakeside Lightning 67 Click here for box score
Grand Final MVP: Matthew Leary (Hawks)
Referees: Mike Romero and Luke McLaughlan