The 1960s-era Boston Celtics, the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls of the 1990s, the Los Angeles Lakers of the early noughties and, to an extent, the Golden State Warriors of recent years – they’re the sides that immediately spring to mind when you think of basketball’s consistently dominant outfits.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
You’d be forgiven if Orange District Basketball Association’s Trojans slipped your mind, but make no mistake, the maroon and golds’ men’s A Grade dynasty is something the behold.
With last week’s narrow grand final victory over Canobolas High School (CHS) the Trojans extended their unbelievable title streak to 10 on the trot – across summer and winter competitions – turning around a two-point half-time deficit to seal a thrilling 64-60 victory.
In a topsy-turvy clash where the lead changed hands eight times, CHS led 34-32 at the break and extended that buffer to 40-32 early in the second period.
The Trojans, led by Kobe Mansell and Ben Keegan, fought back into the contest and edged ahead again with eight minutes remaining.
CHS did regain that lead, but in a frantic finish Mansell gave his side a one-point, 61-60 lead with just 20 seconds remaining. Two more fouls and three points later and the Trojans had sealed another title win.
Mansell was his side’s best, posting 22 points while Keegan hit 16. Matt Gray dropped 37 for CHS, including 12 from beyond the arc.
In the other men’s grand finals O-Town Royals beat Renegades 69-61 in A Reserve, TBA downed Halftime Heroes 63-52 in B Grade, Blue Heelers thumped Nashdale Nashies 85-51 in B Reserve and the Air Ballers won C grade, beating Phocas All Stars 40-37.
Led by a 22-point grand final performance from Sophie Heta, Vipers sealed a 51-34 victory over Wildcats in the women’s A Grade final.
A former Troy University star in the US and Australian under-17 rep, Heta nailed 15 of those points from beyond the arc as her side romped home, Kate Harris also posted nine points while Caitlyn Harvey was the best of the Wildcats with nine as well.
Zora Hines-Coffey posted 23 points to lead her Queen Bees to a 53-29 A Reserve grand final win over the Spinners, while United Bees downed Kinross 2nds 35-26 to claim the women’s B Grade title.
Kinross Breakers, Merge United Jazz, Kinross Tigers, Rim Rockers and Merge United Wildcats won the High School Boys’ titles, in divisions one through five respectively.
Bendigo Ultimate Flames and Designing Future Flames claimed the High School Girls’ division one and two premiership, respectively.