Heathcote’s Skuse grabs Double-Double in Razorbacks defeat
Up and coming wheelchair basketball high-pointer Darren Skuse has continued his impressive form in the 2007 National Wheelchair Basketball League (NWBL) competition, grabbing a double-double of 15 points and 15 boards as the West Sydney Razorbacks fell 96-92 to the "Highlube" Wollongong Roller Hawks, in a high-quality game at the Bankstown Basketball Stadium on Saturday night.
Photo: Darren Skuse in action against the Hawks (photo from www.photoexcellence.com.au)
The weekend's action was the final round of the regular season and both teams will still however advance to the playoffs, with the Roller Hawks finishing the season in second position and the Razorbacks in third.
Saturday night's game was a high-standard affair, as would be expected from two teams at the top of the competition ladder. There was however an underlying tension about the night's action, with tempers tested on a number of occasions between the high-pointers on both teams, during a high-impact, high-intensity contest.
The fans certainly got their money's worth, with plenty of thrills and spills during a physically bruising game and some of the best shooting of the season from both teams. The Roller Hawks led 29-24 and 48-40 at the first two breaks, courtesy of impressive field goal shooting high-point rotation of Australian Paralympian Tristan Knowles, Australian representative Brett Stibners and up-and-coming junior Shaun Russell, before the Razorbacks hauled back some of the deficit to trail 75-73 at the end of the third quarter.
South African international Nick Taylor, Australian representative Skuse and Australian Paralympian Troy Sachs tried to lift the Razorbacks home in a thrilling finish but the Roller Hawks would not be denied, holding on for a tense 4-point victory as the ice-cool Stibners delivered for his team from the free throw line, finishing with 12/16 (75%) from the charity stripe for the night.
The playoff series will be held in Perth over the weekend of Sep 14-16 and will include the Perth Wheelcats (reigning premiers and undefeated 2007 minor premiers), the Roller Hawks, Razorbacks and Wenty Leagues Wheelkings. The Wheelcats are unbackable favourites to defend their national title, with virtually the Australian Rollers "starting five" heading their impressive array of talent.
"Highlube" Wollongong Roller Hawks 96 (Tristan Knowles 34 points, 11 boards, 5 assists; Brett Stibners 29 points, 15 boards; Yvon Rouillard 15 points; Shaun Russell 10) defeated West Sydney Razorbacks 92 (Troy Sachs 41 points, 18 boards; Nick Taylor 28 points, 6 assists; Darren Skuse 15 points, 15 boards)
Sharks 13s continue to fly the flag
The Sutherland Shire Sharks under 13s remain in contention for the Premier Youth League Title after the team's convincing 3 - 1 win over Penrith Nepean United in the minor semi-final.
In the major semi-final minor premiers Blacktown City Demons overwhelmed Marconi Stallions 4 nil to advance directly to the grand final.
The Sharks will now play the Stallions in the final next weekend with the winner to qualify for the grand final against the Demons.
Morrison gets Bronze in Australian Swimming Championships
Local SLC Aquadot swimmers Kristy Morrison and Stephen Parkes both reached three finals in last week's Australian Short Course Swimming Championships in Melbourne.
Best performed was 21 year old Kristy Morrison who took out bronze in the women's 100m individual medley. She also came 6th in the 50m breaststroke and 7th in the 200m individual medley.
19 year old Stephen Parkes' best result was 5th in the 100m individual medley, missing out on bronze by less than 0.8secs. He also came 6th in the 400m individual medley and 8th in the 200m individual medley.
Craig Stevens made the 400m final but in a very competitive event won by Grant Hackett he missed out on the medals.
SportsLive Media Award
As reported previously, Noel Rowsell who provides basketball stories and photos for SportsLive won a media award for the story “Wildcats lose Grand Final Replay” which appeared earlier in the year on SportsLive. The story recorded the Sutherland Shire Sharks defeat of the Parramatta Wildcats early in the Waratah Australian Basketball League 2007 season.
SportsLive recently received the plaque recognizing the win.
To read the winning story click on www.parramatta.sportslive.com.au/index.pl?page=1881
More basketball photos from Noel and his colleague Marion can be found on www.photoexcellence.com.au
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