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BENDIGO (AP).
The
Hulkamaniacs have bounced back and now move directly into next week's
Division 2 Men's Grand Final, following a convincing 19-point victory
against the Dwarfz on Wednesday night.
With a recent encounter with the Dwarfz
fresh in their minds (a game which saw their opponents jump to an early
lead
before pegging them back late in the second half), the Hulkamaniacs
needed to be switched on from the outset - with both sides getting off
to a cautious start.
The Hulkamaniacs looked the more dangerous team however, despite the slow start,
missing on a number of opportunities and open shots. Some great
teamwork resulted in Beau sinking the Hulkamaniacs first field goal
from 15 feet, but the Dwarfz had the quick response, with a 3 point
play giving the underdogs an early lead.
Adam and Ross entered the line-up and provided a spark immediately, with Ross
converting on a fast break basket (assisted by Adam), followed soon
after by a fast break to Murray (assisted by Phil C), and finally the
Hulkamaniacs were off and running. A 3-point basket from the
baseline from Phil C, followed quickly by a 3-point play conversion
down low by the same player, extended the lead to 12-3 in favour of the
Hulkamaniacs.
Adam
was next to get into the scoring action by hitting a circus shot in the paint, more than making up for a
turnover minutes earlier which lead to the Dwarfz second basket of the night.
Beau continued his solid night, with a 3-point play of his own to make
the Hulkamaniacs lead 10 points nearing half time.
A 3-point field goal from Luke and another fast break basket from Beau
finished off a competitive half for the Hulkamaniacs, finishing with a
solid and well-deserved lead of 14 points - 22-8.
Despite the Dwarfz switching to a man-on-man defence after half time,
the Hulkamaniacs were not fazed. Murray got on the board with a
patented mid-range field goal at the start of the second half, before a
couple of field goals from likely 2004/05 MVP Phil C - courtesy of some great assists from Ross
and Murray - extended the lead to 16 points.
To their credit, the Dwarfz made a charge midway through the second
half, sinking two 3-point field goals in succession, with a further
field
goal soon after bringing the lead back to 10 points, giving the
Hulkamaniacs something to think about at a dangerous time in the game.
However, the Hulkamaniacs leading scorers throughout season 2004/05 -
Phil C and Beau - steadied the ship, with Beau firstly converting a
lay-up whilst being fouled in the process, and then Phil C finishing
off one of the plays of the season just minutes later, when Adam
rejected a Dwarfz shot attempt, before hurling the ball 60 feet to Beau
who then skip passed to Phil C who finished, sealing a great win for
the Hulkamaniacs.
It was all about defence for the Hulkamaniacs, with Phil S
characteristically leading by example throughout the match and playing
a blinder - providing further proof that good defence makes for good
offence - a trademark of the Hulkamaniacs franchise.
Adam capped off a solid all-round night for himself as well as the team, with his own 3-point play in the final seconds.
The final score was 41 to 22.
Leading scorers for the Hulkamaniacs were Phil C with 18, Beau 9, Adam 5, Murray 4, Luke 3 and Ross 2.
After
two agonising first round finals losses (in seasons 2003/04 and 2004),
tonights victory was long overdue - and finally, the Hulkamaniacs are
set to possibly capitalise on 4, almost 5, seasons of hard work and
preperation with a premiership win.
Their opponents will be the Mustangs, who defeated the Pre Mix King
comfortably in Wednesday's other final. It shapes as an
intruiging match-up, as past meetings between the teams have been
anything but boring. Make no mistake, both teams will be
hell-bent on securing the Division 2 title, with bragging rights on the
line for the victor.
Don't miss it. The match is at 7:00pm, on court 2 this Wednesday 30th March 2005.
MVP Standings: Phil C (73.0), Beau (56.0), Murray (39.0), Luke (35.0), Ross (34.5), Adam (29.5), Jayson (19.5), Phil S (14.0).
- Luke
Last weeks Hulkamaniacs Poll results:
Q: What aspect of last weeks match against the Mustangs let the Hulkamaniacs down the most?
A: A bit of everything (3 votes), Attitude (2 votes), Offense, Defense, Rebounding, Hustle (1 vote each). | 