Despite putting in one of the best performances of their WGNL season, our U17s were beaten by Hanley Hustlers in the WGNL Knockout Semi Finals on Sunday 9th March, final score 40-27.
Coming into the game as wildcard winners, the Grizzlies made the most of the opportunity and made a stunning start to the game - playing an effective pressing game to put themselves on the front foot, and they finished Q1 deservedly ahead.
Hanley came back into the game in Q2 to take the lead, but the Grizzlies' aggressive play was still giving the Hustlers all sorts of problems. However the ball wasn't quite landing for the Grizzlies despite some great attacking moves, and Hanley built on their lead in Q3.
The Grizzlies had done enough to still have a chance of a late comeback going into Q4, but despite some more good play and more eye-catching baskets it was the experienced Hanley Hustlers who did enough themselves to take the 40-27 win to grab a place in the Final vs Stafford Spartans.
Despite missing out, it was another top effort full of quality from the Grizzlies, against an older, very physical & more experienced opposition. The Grizzlies will now face Reddock Rockets in the 3rd Place tie on 30th March.
Coach Ryan Anderson said; “We hit them hard and fast with a great high press right from the start of the game and we caused them all sorts of problems. We created a lot of openings, but couldn’t quite nail every finish and Hanley came back well. On another day, and with a bit more luck we could be stood here as winners, but I’m pleased we were able to push them all the way.”
MVP: Ben Wells
MVP was awarded to Ben Wells.
The team put in an awesome high-energy, non-stop performance against the Hustlers that Ben contributed to on court, but also off-court from the bench - being highly vocal to drive on his teammates.
As Magic Johnson once said; "Ask not what your teammates can do for you. Ask what you can do for your teammates."
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