Seven rounds into the Mudgee Men's basketball championships, Mayso's Pro Shop leads the competition on 24 points, followed by Predators (formerly Edmunds Interior Predators, last years champions) 21 points and new team, Just Brick It, on 21, these three teams favoured to contest the A grade play offs in September.
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Stride Health (formerly Country Physio) with 15 points heads the remaining pack from Mudgee Pump Company 12, Warriors 11 and Hairy Globetrotters 9.
The clash of last years grand finalists in round three saw Mayso's Pro Shop prevail over Predators 48-38, while on Monday night, Predators, with only four players held out the new kids on the block, Just Brick It, 39-37.
Just Brick had their chances, but their shooting was astray at vital times, especially in the last minute of the game, with a number shots that hit the rim, any of which would have won them the game.
They may rue this chance of knocking off Predators as next time the defending premiers are more than likely to have a full compliment of players.
Just Brick It led 9-5 after the first quarter, but by half time Predators, outscoring their opponents 14-8 in the second, were ahead by a single basket.
It was a ding dong battle in the second half, Just Brick It trying desperately to close down Predators top scorer Ben Edmunds with heavy defence under the basket, and opting for a full court press in the last quarter to stifle the potent Predators offense.
But, Just Brick It couldn't put a brick in the wall at the other end, and when they did find the points they were so desperately searching for, the follow up shots were off target.
Despite their poor shooting, Just Brick It only trailed by three points at the final break, and with the fire power at their disposal, they were still in the game.
The game was locked up at 34 all and 37 all in the final minutes, Predators hitting the front under a minute from full time with bonus free shots.
Just Brick It desperately searched for a winning three point shot, but attempts slid off the ring, Predators hanging on for a two point win.
Ben Edmunds top scored for Predators with 23 points including 15 in the second half. Manuel Tavita 9, Andrew McKenzie 5 and Darcy Cronin-Stacy 2, the other scorers.
Bayley Brown hit 9 points for Just Brick It, Steve Marshall 8, Ethan Millsom 7, Adam Coughlin 7, Hamish Finalyson 4, Matt Purcell 2.
In the first game on Monday night, Stride Health were down 3-8 at quarter time, but strode away from Hairy Globetrotters 20-9 in the second quarter to set up a 53-41 win.
Liam Young headed the scoring for Stride Health with 19 points, Phil Riley 14, Jim Disher 12, Cooper Van Bruchem 4, Andrew Channon 4.
Mayso's Pro Shop received a forfeit from Warriors who were short of players because of work commitments.
