Basketball Report – 1 March 2018

 From the Co-Captains of Basketball, Luca Zanarini & James Foster

Juniors

This week in the Juniors the 7A team had an unfortunate 10-point loss against Cranbrook. The 10A’s were able to get revenge on Cranbrook by winning 54-42 and the 8A team managed to secure a 21-point win. Unfortunately, the 9A’s lost by 7 and will be searching for a win next week.

2nd V

Seating began to fill from around 5pm up until the opening tip at 6pm. As both teams warmed up, the Cranbrook gym witnessed Stephen Morrissey dunk. As the time wound down before the game began, it was clear that Waverley were hungry and well prepared for another win following their stellar performance against Saint Aloysius’ the week before. Following the opening tip the nerves of both sides began to settle as both teams missed several shots back-to-back due to some sloppy execution as well as poor shot selection. The 2nds were able to find their groove and began to run up the score early in the first half due to some much needed scoring from captain Mark Goncalves and vice-captain Daniel Callaghan. This sparked a contest between the two rivals with Cranbrook’s revitalised team began to be a problem for Waverley’s defence. Sam Frazer provided a few points by being able to draw contact and get to the line and convert on multiple occasions to help add to Waverley’s points tally. Waverley’s bigs stepped up towards the end of the half with Ash Backlund and Heath Lawther being able to gain control of the game and scoring back to back point to help increase the lead as well a few jump shots from Daniel Marando to help extend Waverley’s lead to 4 points. As the half came to a close, the score was 34-30. The second half began and the game became much more physical as both schools chanted. The pressure mounted and the game became closer due to a Cranbrook comeback that had Waverley searching for an answer through an early time out. Shortly after the timeout Waverley again came out to a slow start allowing Cranbrook to tie the game. Thankfully, Tom Deakin-bell was able to score on multiple occasions to try to keep a steady hold of the game. The game wound down and the lead began to change many times and thanks to another push by Stephen Morrissey Waverley was able to keep up with Cranbrook’s offence. With the final two minutes of play remaining the scores were level with each team searching for a basket, but neither team was able to capatalise until Mark Goncalves and Daniel Marando began to put up points whilst Cranbrook remained scoreless for the remainder of the game with the final score 53-49.

1st V

Last week’s annual Friday night game took place at Cranbrook. After comfortably defeating them in the first half of the season, the 1^st V boys were looking to do the same again and continue their wining streak. As the boys arrived, they watched the 2^nd V game kick off, and with the crowd and supporters from both Waverley and Cranbrook, it lifted the atmosphere for the night. As the 1^st V boys got ready, they had a briefing with coach Mr Johnny Jovine on the plan for the game. We were told to play for ourselves and not the crowd, which was our mindset in going into the game. After the end of the 2^nd V game, both 1^st V teams took a minute of silence to pay our respects to Reverend Father A.V. Smith who had passed away earlier in the week.

After a minute’s silence, the game had kicked off. Waverley were off to a slow start as Cranbrook put the heat on straight away and it was clear they were determined to get their first win of the season. Waverley started to run through their plays, which led to some quick points to bring them back to even. Cranbrook continued to play through their big men, getting some lay ups and foul calls. Waverley did the same and after a few substitutions established a 9-point lead after the first quarter. In the second quarter, Waverley maintained their lead as Cranbrook started to struggle to narrow down the score. A breakaway dunk by Alex Higgins-Titsha ignited the crowd and lifted the boys’ energy. Kyle Goulding and Jeremy Petritsis caught heat towards the end of the half scoring multiple 3 pointers and putting Waverley up 49-28 at half time. This lead became bigger going into the second half as Waverley kept pushing it and ran through their sets. The Waverley defense kept the Cranbrook side to scoring minimal points as the lead grew to a 35 points. Waverley kept the momentum going into the fourth quarter scoring a numerous fast break points. The lead kept growing and soon the 1^st V boys were aiming for 100 points. Cranbrook tried to do a last push to narrow down the score through some perimeter and inside scoring however Waverley was fuelled up and soon enough reached 100 team points in the final minutes of the game. As the game wrapped up, each player scored and the continuous effort showed our will and persistence. Waverley defeated Cranbrook 106-63. Although this win was great for morale, the 1^st V boys should not get too confident in the final two games of the season but should use this to keep up their momentum for next week’s opponent, Trinity.

 

From the Convenor of Basketball, Anthony Gibbs

Last weekend saw Waverley take on Cranbrook in a Friday night fixture that was played under intense conditions and a boisterous atmosphere. A sizeable crowd of Waverley supporters had made the short trek to the Cranbrook gym and filled it to overflowing. The 2^nd V started proceedings with captain Mark Goncalves, Ash Backlund and Daniel Marando leading the way offensively. To the Waverley spectators’ enjoyment, the 2^nd V led 34-30 at half-time, playing high-intensity basketball.

The second half saw Waverley pull away to a double digit lead however, as the half wore on, Cranbrook managed to narrow the deficit and in the final two minutes of the game, Cranbrook managed to draw level with Waverley 49-all. Daniel Marando settled nerves after receiving the ball under the basket on a missed 3-point shot from Mark Goncalves. With just over a minute left, the game was in the balance; scrambling defense from Waverley kept Cranbrook scoreless and forced a turn over, giving Waverley another offensive set. Waverley were unable to capitalise and Cranbrook came down the floor with 40 seconds left on the clock. Great pressure defense from the 2nds prevented Cranbrook from scoring. On their next possession, Waverley were able to draw a foul from Cranbrook and sent Mark Goncalves to the line to shoot two nerve-racking free throws, making the second shot and giving Waverley a 3-point buffer. With seconds left, Cranbrook were unable to score on their possession, turning the ball over and then intentionally fouling, giving Stevie Morrissey the opportunity to seal the game. He scored with the first of his two free throws. As the final siren blew, Waverley had come away with a sensational 53-49 win that will give the players a huge lift going into a tough game this weekend against Trinity. Best on court were Stevie Morrissey, Ash Backlund and Daniel Marando.

The 1^st V had comfortably accounted for Cranbrook with a 35-point win in their first game last term. By the start of the game, the atmosphere in the Cranbrook gym was charged with the Waverley crowd expecting big things of the 1^st V. Waverley began well racing to a 24-13 lead at the first quarter with Alex Higgins-Titsha on fire, scoring 15 points. The second quarter saw Waverley stretch their lead to 49-28 with captain Jeremy Petritsis, Kyle Goulding and Angelo Di Bartolo sinking multiple threes. After the main break, Waverley continued their momentum increasing their lead to 80-45 with Alexander Higgins-Titsha chiming in with another 8 points and Ryan Abbott contributing 12 points. The final quarter saw Waverley pile on 26 points through Hayden Walton (8 points) and Alexander Higgins-Titsha (7 points). Waverley were eventual winners 106-63. Throughout most of the game, the 1^st V played with energy and commitment, placing defensive pressure on Cranbrook and capitalising on fast breaks. There were many great performances on the night, with the best coming from Alexander Higgins-Titsha, Jeremy Petritsis and Ryan Abbott. The team will take an enormous amount of confidence from the win into the game this weekend.

With 8 rounds completed, the 1^st V have now won 5 games and remain third on the ladder and are looking good to defeat Trinity for a second time this season. The last game of the season is against CAS favourites, Barker, who suffered a surprise 12-point loss last weekend against a spirited Knox. The 2^nd V have recorded 4 wins and face a tough assignment against Trinity this Saturday before facing up to an undefeated Barker side next week.

In other games, Waverley enjoyed considerable success against Cranbrook. The following teams recorded wins: 1^st V (106-63), 2^nd V (53-49), 5^th V (46-39), 10A (54-42), 10B (36-27), 10C (32-27), 10D (36-21), 9B (27-21), 9C (31-27), 9D (44-23), 9E (39-14), 9F (31-4), 9G (34-13), 9H (20-0), 8A (63-42), 8B (43-9), 8C (30-22), 8E (26-24), 8F (26-18), 7C (33-26), 7D (24-22) with the 10E’s drawing 41-all. The 9A’s (26-19), 8D’s (31-25) and 7C’s (33-26) played well despite losing close games.

The Basketball Supporter Group is seeking help in staffing the BBQ this Saturday. If you are able to assist for an hour, please contact Mrs Sophia Hatziandreou at sophiah@samos.com.au.

The last round of games on Saturday 10 March sees a number of events occurring. A reminder that the BBQ to welcome our new Year 7 players and their families has been rescheduled to Saturday 10 March. The Basketball Presentation Night is also on Saturday 10 March. Details can be found on the College website and the flyer in this week’s Nurrunga.

Important: please note that the annual Basketball Supporter Group AGM has been postponed to Monday 26 March at 6pm in the Grange (entrance on Carrington Road). All parents, including the Junior School, are welcome to attend.

Waverley Basketball is now using Team App to publish information such as scores, news, fixtures, team lists and announcements. Download the app and search for ‘Waverley College Basketball’ to receive notifications and updates.

Good luck to all teams against Trinity this weekend.