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BENDIGO (AP).
The
Hulkamaniacs outplayed top placed Nemesis on Wednesday night, securing
second spot on the division 2 standings and an all-important double
chance in the first week of the finals next week.
Apart
from the opening minutes, the match was dominated by the Hulkamaniacs,
returning to their very best form with their defense especially
dominant throughout. The Hulkamaniacs welcomed Beau back into the
line-up after a week off due to illness. With one or two other
players slightly under the weather, a match-up with the top placed team
would not have been the Hulkamaniacs first preference leading into the
finals.
With Nemesis featuring a number of bigger bodies, it was expected to
extend the Hulkamaniacs defensively, however the likes of Phil C, Beau
and Adam stood up brilliantly, basically out-hustling their opponents
all night.
It was Nemesis who started the better, with a couple of field goals
giving them the early ascendency. However before long, the
Hulkamaniacs got their game going, courtesy of Murray and Ross,
bringing the score lines level.
With the Hulkamaniacs defense standing strong and more than holding
their own against their taller opponents, the Hulkamaniacs seized
control of the contest with MVP favourites Beau and Phil C becoming
involved offensively.
Murray and Ross kept the scoreboard flowing once more, helping to
extend the Hulkamaniacs lead. As the first half progressed,
Nemesis began looking frustrated - finding life difficult against a
swarming Hulkamaniacs defense intent on not giving their opponents
anything easy.
Capping off a sensational first half for the Hulkamaniacs, Beau and
Phil C added to their tally with the Hulkamaniacs holding control of
the contest with an 8-point lead, 20-12.
After a disappointing first half by the top team Nemesis, the
Hulkamaniacs would have expected a fiercely fought final 20 minutes to
hold on to the lead.
With all the momentum heading into the half, the early stages of the
second half were no different as the Hulkamaniacs continued their push
for an important victory. Phil C and Beau again led the way
offensively, extending the Hulkamaniacs lead beyond 10 points.
For Nemesis, little was going their way, as the pressure and intensity
applied by the Hulkamaniacs was forcing them into severe foul
trouble throughout the match. The Hulkamaniacs were running
the floor hard, extending Nemesis beyond their comfort zone, who seem
more suited to a slower, half-court game.
With the Hulkamaniacs defense dominating, the result looked locked away
with less than 10 minutes remaining for Nemesis to reverse their
form. But the Nemesis rally did come, landing a couple of 3-point
field goals to bring them right back within a couple of field goals with
just under 5 minutes remaining.
In a tenacious
second half mostly dominated by low scoring and tight
defense, the accumulated Nemesis foul count came back to haunt them, as
each foul sent the Hulkamaniacs to the line for free throws. In
fact, the intent of several Nemesis players had to be called into
question late in the game, with a number of hard fouls against their
opponents, resulting in an unsportsmanlike foul being called on one occasion.
But the Hulkamaniacs hurt Nemesis where it counted - on the scoreboard
- as Murray especially, together with Phill C and Phil S converting
their free throw attempts in the final minutes, effectively putting the
game out of reach from Nemesis with terrific efficiency from the free throw line.
The final score was 32-24.
The win secures a double chance for the Hulkamaniacs, ending the season
in second position overall with 10 wins (12 including the grading period) and the division's second
highest percentage of 133.48%.
Leading scorers for the Hulkamaniacs were Phil C 11, Murray 8, Beau 7, Ross 4 and Phil S 2.
Next
week in a huge game, the Hulkamaniacs play-off against Phoenix
for a spot in this seasons Grand Final. The two teams have
split their regular season meetings, but the Hulkamaniacs will take
into the match a great deal of confidence from their round 14, 1-point
win over Phoenix, who at that time were on top of the ladder, as they
are again now. This match shapes as one of the best of season
2005, so be sure to stay tuned to the Hulkamaniacs website for all the news and results!
MVP Standings: Phil C (104.0), Beau (66.5), Murray (50.5), Luke (40.0), Adam (38.5), Ross (30.5), Phil S, Simon (11.5).
Hulkamaniacs Poll results:
Q: The technical foul called against Adam for "flopping", was..?
A: Unwarranted (1 vote), A joke - hang up your whistle, ref! (3 votes). | 