Second in SA for Year 9/10 Boys Division 1 Basketball

On Wednesday 4 November, the Year 9/10 Boys Division 1 Basketball team travelled to Adelaide for the School Sport SA Basketball finals day. Qualifying for the Top 4 was already Encounter’s best-ever result in a Division 1 Schools Basketball competition, but the team had more in them.

First up was the semi-final against Rostrevor College, with the size and physicality of Rostrevor’s inside players causing trouble early. Down by 12 points leading into half-time, a big third quarter from Encounter turned the deficit into a 2 pt lead by three-quarter time. Some crucial contributions from different players and defensive pressure frustrated Rostrevor and allowed us to get out in the open court. A 74-61 win and top 2 in SA locked in!

The Grand Final against Woodville HS was tough, as you would expect it to be. Their ball movement and athleticism from tip-off had us on the back foot, and we left some opportunities out there with turnovers, missed box-outs, and shots that rimmed out early that hurt. The boys kept competing, right through to the final buzzer, losing 86-48. 

The team felt the hurt of the loss, but the reality is that we come home with a silver medal as the 2nd best Year 9/10 team in South Australia and Encounter’s best-ever result in SSSA basketball competition.  These boys have taken down some School Sport powerhouses through this year’s competition; the achievements of the year and the grand final loss will only build into the growth and experience of them as individuals, the team and the Encounter Basketball Program.

A huge well done to the team, as well as senior program leaders Reilly W and Levi M, who supported the boys through finals day. It’s now back to the training court for a number of these boys who are part of our Australian School Championships teams heading to the Gold Coast at the end of the year.