Jesse Brock scored 13 points at the weekend as the Blasters wrapped up the North East Men’s minor premiership. Photos: Wayne Herring.
With nine home-and-away rounds done and dusted, it’s all to play for this weekend as the Country Basketball League finals series kicks off for the North East Men and North East Women competitions, with Seymour set to feature in both.
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The Blasters men capped a dominant season in the final round of the regular season at the weekend to seal the minor premiership, belting Myrtleford by 61 points on Saturday to finish a game and significant percentage clear of second-placed Wallan on the ladder with a 9-1 record.
In a brutal showing, the Blasters raced out to a 19-point lead by quarter-time, outscoring the Saints 24-5 in the first term, before extending the lead to a ridiculous 40 points by the half, leading 54-14 at the main break after a stunning 30-9 second-quarter blitz.
Scoring slowed slightly in the second half, with Seymour extending the lead by a further 16 points to hold a healthy 79-23 advantage with one quarter to play, before closing out the final term to walk away with a staggering 98-37 win and enter the finals series with some serious momentum.
William Stewart lays the ball in for two of his 13 points against Myrtleford.
Tyler Best added 25 points as the biggest contributor for the Blasters, enough to ensure he finished the regular season as the third-highest scorer across the league with 172 points from eight outings, while in a sign of the Blasters’ depth, Robbie Sartori (14), Harry Stones (14), Jesse Brock (13), William Stewart (13) and Rhylee Leighton (10) all put up double digits.
Having netted top spot, the Blasters will play fourth-placed Albury this weekend in a do-or-die clash for a spot in the decider, with the only regular season meeting between the two sides a three-point victory to Seymour on the road.
Seymour’s women’s side will also play Albury this weekend in a semi-final showdown, having clinched the last remaining spot in finals with a round to play.
Having been locked into fourth spot at the conclusion of round eight with no ability to move up on the ladder in the final round, a fate shared by third-placed Myrtleford, the two sides faced off in essentially a finals warm-up at the weekend, with the result having no ramifications for the post-season.
Seymour’s Caitlyn Kennedy tangles with Myrtleford's Lily Purss.
The Blasters still hit the court at Seymour Sports and Aquatic Centre with plenty to prove, however, bounding out to a 20-7 lead by quarter-time to momentarily shock the Saints.
The visitors recovered in the second term, outscoring Seymour 23-12 to draw within two by the half, but it was the Blasters who held the lead at the main break, up 32-30 as the contest intensified.
For all of the brilliant pressure they brought in the first half, however, the Blasters were unable to match it in the second, as Myrtleford drew out to a seven-point lead by three-quarter time, before a big final term condemned Seymour to a 55-77 defeat despite 24 points from Chloe Dimkopoulos.
It matters little, though, with Seymour still set for a finals berth this weekend, however it will need to cause an upset if it is to progress to the big dance, with the Blasters to face minor premier Albury in the semi-final.
Having faced off twice this season, the Cougars have claimed both match-ups, however Seymour won the second half in their most recent meeting despite the overall 11-point defeat.
Times and venues for both of the Blasters semi-finals this weekend are still to be confirmed.
