Lightning are the 2016 Mudgee junior basketball champions after staving off a late surge by Kings to win the grand final 47-41.
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A close first quarter favoured Lightning 10-5 after they opened the scoring with three quick baskets by Steven Marshall.
Kings, through Lachlan Westwood, Jordan Harris and Fletcher Rawlinson squaring the ledger, before Marshall added two more basket for Lightning.
Kings were indecisive in their offense during the next two quarters, missing easy shots time and time again, their inaccuracy compounded by their inability to close down Lightning’s one man band, Marshall, who was unstoppable with his drives to the basket.
At half time, Kings were adrift by twelve points, and when their scoring drought continued into the third quarter, the scoreboard saw them facing a crushing loss, now down by eighteen points at the final break.
Although one of Lightning’s leading players - Adrian Millsom - was fouled out in the third quarter, Kings, with their poor shooting, had been unable to take advantage of the situation.
However towards the end of the final period, Lightning were suddenly in trouble when Steven Marshall was also fouled out, leaving just three inexperienced Lightning players on the court and giving Kings a sniff of victory.
With time running out, Kings pressed hard in defence to force turnovers, the extra possession setting up opportunities to score, and gradually they closed the gap.
Despite the pressure from a now desperate opposition, the three remaining Lightning players, Will Box, Mitchell Kearney and Sarah Marshall were able to hold possession in the final crucial minutes to deny Kings the late shots at goal they sorely needed to force the game into at least, extra time.
But, it was not to be, the siren sounded, victory going to Lightning by six points.
Lightning’s most valuable player was Steve Marshall with 39 points, Will Box 6, Mitchell Kearney 2.
Lachlan Westwood was the Kings MVP scoring 21, Jordan Harris 17, Joel Smith 2, Fletcher Rawlinson 1.
At the presentations, Lachlan Mitchell received the Jay Tribe Memorial Team Player Award.
Players Players were Phil Riley-Hawks, Steve Marshall-Lightning, Jordan Harris- Kings, Marcus Lynch- Wildcats.
Most Improved; Declan Kirk-Hawks, Mitchell Kearney- Lightning, Lachlan Westwood- Kings, Sam Callaghan-Wildcats.