BASKETBALL
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ORANGE has finished runner up at the NSW Country Basketball Championships in men's under 16 division three after a tight final.
Orange had not entered a side in the competition for a number of years and won all five preliminary rounds before going down to Moruya 43-31 in the final.
The side, coached by former US college coach Grant Cole, was particularly pleased with the result having not had much success in western region competitions.
Orange defeated Hunter 50 - 44 in the opening game and realised they were going to have to work on their defence for the remaining games.
They made the necessary adjustments and then knocked over Central Coast YC 53-31, The Entrance 65-28 and Moruya 48-20 in the remaining round robin matches and then beat The Entrance 68-32 again in the semi-final.
Despite having beaten them in their round robin match Moruya was too strong in the final and jumped away to a 12-0 lead.
Orange got off to a nervous start with unsure hands and unsure passes. Moruya's big men got back to defend their basket and prevented Orange from scoring from fast breaks or rebounds.
As hard as Orange tried they couldn't close the gap and eventually went down 43-31.
Callum Baillie top scored for Orange in all five games with his agile drives to the basket and deceptive left and right handed lay-ups.
BJ McKenna was hard at the ball, hustling at every contest taking off on numerous fast breaks.
Big men Luke Griffiths and Michael Booney travelled from Dubbo to join the team and rebounded strongly at both ends of the court, each chipping in with a handy eight to 10 points in all matches.
Drew Morcom used his height and quick wits to great effect and kept the pressure on the opposing teams.
Ali Isbester and Tom Chilcott continually defied gravity.
Brock Fitzgerald and Ben Barker were able to win the ball and score from beneath the shadows of their taller rivals.
In three of the matches, all eight boys scored.
The side comprised Tom Chilcott, Ben McKenna, Luke Griffiths, Drew Morcom, Michael Booney, Brock Fitzgerald, Ben Barker, Callum Baillie and Ali Isbester.
