Basketball Report – Round 7

The Cranbrook 1sts & 2nds played against Trinity on Friday in the second Friday Night Lights game of the year; two great games of quality basketball see report below. It was the seventh round of the CAS competition for the Brookie Ballers against Trinity and the Brookie Ballers won 35 games and lost 12 games. Next challenge is Knox in Round 8.

1sts
Cranbrook started strong and led 28-19 at quarter time against the undefeated Trinity 1sts (6 wins- 0 losses). The visitors retaliated in the second quarter, but Cranbrook still led 45-40 at half time. Third quarter was tight with defence dominating the quarter, Cranbrook still held on to the lead, 55-53. The last quarter was a nail biter, both teams made big shot and big plays. It was neck and neck and with 8 seconds left; Cranbrook down two points with the ball. Justice Single (13 points) was under immense defensive pressure but was able shake the defender out of his shoes and got a good look at a 3-point shot. Legend Cranbrook Coach and holder of most free throws in a row at Cranbrook (138 in the Old Gym), Hank Foster, who has worked with most of the Cranbrook 1sts during his 20 years at Cranbrook, was sitting at half court watching the game. Hank had a perfect view, “I thought it was going in for sure, it was dead straight”; it rimmed out. Trinity secured the win on the foul line. Final score, Cranbrook 71 – Trinity 75. All of Cranbrook 1sts chipped in and arguably played their best game of their season. Captain of Basketball, Jesse Sher, ran around the court like he was dodging Bin Balls, except he was dribble at the same time; Jesse finished with 15 points with a bag full of assists and rebounds. Finn Haysom got the team rolling early with three 3-point shots, finishing with 15 points. Charlie Walsh was on fire off the bench with 8 points; and Tom Schall blocked shots, rebounded and score 8 points. John Dulhunty came in and competed every possession. Neil Chandler was composed at both ends of the floor and knock down an important 3-point shot in the second quarter. Tex Christensen continues to impress and made a 3-point shot late in the game that looked like it might take the game from Trinity. Will Kimberley was his usual high energy, disrupting Trinity’s offence and making fast breaks when wasn’t any. Overall, it was a cracker of a game, big, excited crowd and even the Headmaster enjoyed T-Rex blasting out of the speakers during a time out. Cranbrook 1sts has battled hard this season, and every game has been less than 10 points win/loss margin, the CAS is very even up to Round 7.

2nds
The Cranbrook 2nds started well against Trinity and continued to play hard and fast throughout the game. At no stage did Cranbrook look comfortable against Trinity’s defence and red hot 3-point shooting; but Cranbrook 2nds led at every break. It was tight at the end of the game and with a timely 3-point shot by Benny Olschewski followed by two 3-point daggers by Noah Doherty (8 points), Cranbrook won 56-52. Sam Collison played well and made some chiropractic shots, finishing with 12 points; Ollie Lyons had important 10 points. Once again it was a team effort with the Cranbrook 2nds continuing their habit of playing intense, relentless basketball

Stephen Whitehead
Head of Basketball