A late comeback from the Macedon Ranges Rockies fell short in the Basketball Victoria Country Basketball League north-west men’s grand final.
The Rockies trailed by more than 20 points in the third quarter against an experienced Castlemaine Cannons, who were looking to complete the perfect season on Saturday night.
The Rockies didn’t give up and managed to get the margin back to three points with less than three minutes remaining.
Castlemaine was able to steady and do enough to come away with a 90-81 win and deny the Rockies their first championship.
Rockies coach Michael Ryan said he was proud of the group and what they had achieved.
“We were rapt to still be competitive in the final quarter,” he said. “The great thing was at three quarter time the guys still thought we could win the game.
“Our game plan, did we stick to it all the time? No.
“But did we preserve it, yes. I’m happy with that.
“I’m really proud, but it hurts.”
The Rockies entered the game without Lucas Carnell and Lucas Impey. Against a tall Cannons side, both would have made a difference.
Saxon Royal exited the game early with a kidney injury after two heavy falls.
Ryan said losing Royal was a huge blow for them and they had to adjust on the fly.
“We knew it would be a challenge but the great thing with the group was the whole year we’ve had different players every week and still had that belief that they would still win, which is just fantastic,” Ryan said.
The Cannons’ size proved an issue early as they were able to win a lot of ball under the basket.
Seventeen-year-old Finn McGinity came on and gave the Rockies a spark against the bigger bodies.
Ryan said he was incredible.
Unfortunately for the Rockies, McGinnity and the other big Matthew Quinn had foul trouble and ended up fouled out.
Ryan said the third quarter would prove to be the difference, losing that quarter 28-15.
“We could have adjusted earlier,” Ryan said. “It wasn’t our best quarter.”
Guards Jacob Poyser and Jack Dohmen-Jolly both played key roles in the comeback.
They finished with 20 and 21 points respectively.
Ryan said the crowd was also massive in supporting the group.
For the Rockies, eight of the players were in their original side five seasons ago.
Ryan said it was nice to see those guys get some reward.
“Matt [Quinn] and Tom [Scott] were the ones that got the program up and going,” he said.
“It’s Tom Scott’s last game. He’ll still play Big V but CBL is not for him anymore.
“There will be a bit of a changing of the guard but I’m tremendously satisfied and proud that they got their opportunity.
“We talked about hanging a banner in the stadium at some point of time and I’m glad they got to be part of that.”
Ryan said they were keen to come back again next season and be competitive.
Meanwhile, Impey was named in the north-west all-star five team.
