Posted on 1 August, 2017
It wasn’t easy, but the VYC Cobra Men find themselves back in the big dance for the fourth time in five years following a thrilling 79-70 win on the road over the Melbourne Tigers on Saturday night.
In a game that lived up to its Preliminary Final billing, the Cobras rode a stellar second half defensive performance and clutch baskets from Jamie Ahale, Jorden Adnam, Mitch Dielemans and Zac Wuersching to advance to the VYC best-of-three Grand Final series starting on Sunday.
With the Tigers shooting lights out from beyond the arc, the Cobras found themselves down by as many as 10 points late in the second quarter. But six straight points from Ahale sparked a 13-3 Kilsyth run to close the quarter as they tied the game headed into halftime.
Melbourne caught fire again to start the third quarter, though, draining a trio of three-pointers to take an eight point lead, but the Cobras responded with some huge play from reserves Will MacRae and Roberto La Morticella to reclaim the lead. After Wuersching buried a foul line jumpshot, MacRae drained a deep step-back jumper and then nailed a stare-down three pointer to tie the game. Ahale then found La Morticella inside for a tough finish, before MacRae put the finishing touches on a 12-2 run with a pair of free throws to give the Cobras a 61-59 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
With the bench bringing the Cobras back, Mark Landells turned back to his starters to finish off the Tigers, and they delivered. Adnam scored off a putback, Dielemans nailed a pair of free throws, and then Adnam followed with a left corner three-pointer to put the Cobras ahead by seven points. After a Melbourne bucket, Ahale scored on a tough fadeaway jumper and then scored off a steal and assist from Wuersching to electrify the Cobras crowd. Dielemans continued the onslaught with a spectacular change-of-hands layup and Wuersching connected on another top of the key jumpshot, capping a game clinching 15-4 run to push Kilsyth’s lead to 76-65 with 3:30 remaining.
The Cobras defence held tough the rest of the way, and they’ll now be playing off for their third VYC championship in the past five years.
Dielemans led Kilsyth with a game-high 19 points, and five assists, Adnam added 18 points and eight rebounds, Ahale recorded 13 points, 12 rebounds and three assists, while Wuersching chipped-in with 10 points and six rebounds. MacRae scored seven points and was a +16 off the bench for the Cobras, while La Morticella finished with six points on 3/4 shooting.
With Nunawading defeating Bulleen on Sunday, the best-of-three finals has been set, with Kilsyth set to take on the Spectres at Nunawading Basketball Stadium this Sunday at 1pm. Games Two and Three (if necessary) will be played at the Kilsyth Sports Centre on Saturday August 12 and 13 (times to be confirmed).
