Posted on 22 September, 2007
Despite being so successful at senior level over the past seven years, the Cobras have not been able to win at the junior level. The last title, in 2000 was the 2nd of back to back titles for the Under 18 Girls. The last boy’s team to win a Victorian title was in 1998. The team of 2007 became just the 3rd boy’s team in Kilsyth history to win a junior title at any age group. This win is the 11th Victorian title for Kilsyth.
Coach Rod Popp and the team began preparation back in October and all players were committed to every step along the way. All players within the team bought into the philosophy and can now enjoy the results of their hard work.
The Cobras finished the regular season in second place with a 14-4 record. In the first week of finals they defeated Dandenong by 15 points holding them to just 35. After a set back in the second semi against Melbourne losing 51-43, they defeated arch rivals the Knox Raiders to earn their place in the final. With most tipping Melbourne to win in a blow out, the underdog Cobras dug deep and came up with stop after stop at the defensive end.
Most had written the Cobras off at the end of the regular season after 6”11’ centre Graeme Radford took up a scholarship at US University Stetson. With Radford gone, it just meant the Cobras had to get better at the defensive end. After being the best defensive team throughout the regular season and holding teams to just over 44 point per game, they bumped up the pressure and were awesome in holding teams to 41 ppg in the finals series.
Game MVP Glenn Potts and Scott Dixon led the Cobras as they have done all season and were impressive at both ends of the floor. Potts finished the game with a break-away dunk to finish the game in style. Congratulations to Coach Rod Popp and his team James Denton, Scott Dixon, Zac Moult, Jarryd Renton, David Moore, Glenn Potts, Nic Biesbroek, Daniel Allan, Cameron Johnson and James Melvaso
For more information on the “Phil Munday’s” Kilsyth Cobras please visit www.kilsythbasketball.com.au
