Keilor Thunder has memories to last a lifetime after coming back to beat Chelsea Gulls 2-1 in a best-of-three Big V basketball men’s division 1 grand final series.
After losing game one on the road, the Thunder came back to the Stadium Drive fortress to win games two and three.
“Chelsea did what they had to do, being up 1-0 after their one home game,” Thunder coach Liam Glascott said.
“We fixed the things that we had to fix during the week, but at the same time, we hadn’t lost a home game all year, so we were confident we could get it done.”
Keilor ensured the series went the distance with a comfortable 81-69 win in a do-or-die game two on Saturday night.
Veteran Chuck Long was superb for the Thunder with a double-double 18 points and 13 rebounds, while import Jordan Coleman shot 21 points.
It would all count for little though if the Thunder did not get the job done in a third and deciding game on Sunday.
In a defence-minded but thrilling contest, Keilor won game three in a low scoring affair, 65-60.
Matt Spencer led the way for the Thunder with 16 points, five rebounds, three assists and four steals, while Long had another double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds, and B.J. Symons and Joel Bellman scored 10 points apiece.
Their defence was at a championship level and was a key attribute to the game three victory.
“The key was the D,” Glascott said.
“We didn’t shoot the ball great from the outside and we didn’t get the inside touches that we were getting on the Saturday night.
“It was just our defensive effort from everyone was fantastic. We did a great job on their two stars [Corey] Standerfer and [Matthew] Brasser.”
The big question to be answered now is whether the Big V grants Keilor promotion to the top flight men’s championship in 2018.
Glascott insists the club is ready to be promoted, but needs to wait on official confirmation. What is for certain next season is that Coleman will return. The star of the play-offs will be a key piece for the Thunder.
“It’s his second year as a pro and still has a way to go, but I think he’s only going to get better and hopefully he gets stronger in the off season,” Glascott said.
For more photos of Saturday night’s win, go to
