CHAMPIONS: Nick Abraham (assistant coach), Adam Slattery (assistant coach), Henry Opie, Nick Spina, Alex Robinson, Eden Taylorwood-Roe, Tim Abraham (captain), Jayden Oliver, Dylan Prince, Simon Douch, Jack Sharpe, Tom Whitehead, Marisa Abraham (manager), Lachie Wood (assistant coach) and Pat Abraham (coach) celebrate their Western Junior League victory. Photo: NICK MCGRATH
THE Orange Eagles have taken out the 2012 Western Junior League under 18s title with a comprehensive 74-63 win over the Dubbo Rams.
Played at Sir Neville Howse Stadium, the home side led at every change to bring home the Eagles’ second Western Junior League title of the weekend, after the under 12s boys claimed the division two crown early yesterday.
It’s the first time any Orange team has won a Western League title since the under 14s back in 2007.
That same side yesterday won again as the under 18s.
Coach Pat Abraham was elated after the win.
“The mighty 12s mens two won as well and, as you can see, these boys showed plenty of heart and magnificent fighting spirit which was great to see,” Abraham said.
Up 37-20 at half-time, the Eagles capitalised on some sloppy Dubbo turn overs in the third to hold a 60-43 advantage heading into the fourth period.
The Eagles then turned it on.
Undefeated all season, Orange raced out to a 21-point lead before Dubbo rallied late to bring the final margin back to 74-63.
“This is a really strong team across the board and we’re really lucky to have them,” Abraham said.
The side was led brilliantly by skipper Tim Abraham while Jack Sharpe’s reverse lay-up late in the contest brought the vocal home crowd to its feet.
Big men Tom Whitehead and Jaydan Oliver dominated the paint.
“We’re really fortunate we’ve got a great team right across the board and the boys applied really good defence right through all the quarters,” the coach said.
They now prepare for the State Cup in two week’s time,
“That’s where we’re going to really need to shine and I believe these boys, Orange has always had trouble shining against the likes of Illawarra and Gosford and Newcaslte, but I believe these boys are really going to push them and make them work,” he said.