THERE were many intriguing games across all sections in the Sale Amateur Basketball Association summer competition semi-finals last week.
Bazinga fought its way into the men’s A grade preliminary final with a seven-point win over Mangels. Bazinga will play Prestige Worldwide, who lost to the Suns 75-56 in a match highlighted by some excellent three-point shooting and impressive alley-oops.
Celtics defeated Ghetto Pistols 22-18 in a low scoring B grade affair, while Enemy of the State secured a grand final berth after defeating The Knicks. Celtics versus The Knicks promises to be a very competitive preliminary final.
In the highly competitive under 19 boys, Thunder Black will be going straight through to the grand final after its win over Thunder Maroon, while Thunder White defeated the persistent Thunder Navy Blue 50-42.
Celtics Green pulled off a surprise win over Celtics Black in the under 16 boys. Green will now face minor premier Celtics Red after its 14-point loss to Celtics White.
In the under 12 boys’ competition, Lakers Sky Blue will face Lakers Red in the preliminary final after Yellow toppled Sky Blue to move directly into the grand final and Dark Blue lost to third-placed Red.
In one of the most even competitions, the under 14 boys’, Cavaliers Red defeated Cavaliers Black by three points in a high scoring game. This week Red will play Cavaliers Yellow, who lost to minor premier Cavaliers Dark Blue.
The women’s semi-finals had spectators on the edge of their seats with Storm a three-point victor over Slackos and Tazers being eliminated after a one-point loss to Sprains ‘n’ Strains.
Fourth-placed Billabong Sky Blue worked hard to secure a preliminary final berth in the under 15 girls’ section by beating the more fancied Billabong White by a point. Billabong Red had a strong win against Billabong Yellow.
In the under 12 girls’ competition, Rusty Blue toppled first-placed Rusty Yellow by a point to make it straight through to the grand final. Rusty White defeated Rusty Red 9-4 and will meet Yellow in the preliminary final.
For scores and preliminary final draw, read Tuesday’s Gippsland Times.
