Tom Rowe
Helping the St Kilda Saints beat the Magic 77-64 and
claim the Dunedin club title partly came as a relief for star
player Tom Rowe.
The 2.01m centre dominated the exchanges on the inside and
top-scored for the Saints with 24 points.
It was an impressive performance from the 19-year-old,
particularly in the first half when he was able to push his
way into the paint and get to the hoop largely unchecked.
The win came as a welcome relief for the Nuggets forward. The
Nuggets found their comeback season in the National
Basketball League tough going, losing all 18 games.
Saturday's win had helped put a smile back on the face.
Saints player Harrison- Hunt is in possession with Barclay
(left) in support. Magic players Eddie Manco (second right)
and Jordan Small look on. Photo by Jane Dawber.
"It was good to get a win," Rowe beamed. "I really
enjoyed that. It was a good game."
The defending champion Magic had asserted all the early
pressure with forward Tom Allan opening the scoring with two
points after he battled his way to the basket.
Lively guard Jordan Small was quick to find his range,
drilling two three-pointers and using his pace to lift the
tempo of the game.
The Magic led 11-3 but struggled to close down Rowe, who
gradually imposed his presence on the game.
Midway through the opening quarter he scored back-to-back
lay-ups and also grabbed a three-pointer.
Trailing 21-19 at the first break, the Saints seized control
of the match, outscoring the Magic 21-8 in a devastating
10-minute period.
The St Kilda Saints celebrate winning the Dunedin club
basketball league. Back row (from left) coach Simon Clarke,
Jerry Blair, Tom Rowe, Paul Sides, Matt Gillan, Lewis
Barclay, Damon Cleverley. Front (from left) Dean Ruske,
Tyler Harrison-Hunt, Cain Falconer, Tim Gillan, James Ross.
Photo by Jane Dawber.
Former Nugget Tim Gillan hit a brace of mid-range
jumpers, and Rowe added a further seven points. The Saints
closed the period with a damaging 12-point run.
Veteran Saints forward Matt Gillan missed seven
three-pointers before he landed one. But once he found his
range he quickly advanced his tally with a flurry of scoring
in a 13 point haul. He also grabbed nine rebounds. Brother
Tim finished the match with 14 points.
Small posted 17 points for the Magic and also led the
rebounding with eight boards. Andrew Wheeler and Allan were
the next best with 12 points apiece.
In the women's final, Ajax beat Ajax Black 57-53 in an evenly
contested game. Janet Main top-scored led Ajax with 13
points, six rebounds, six assists and five steals.
The St Kilda Bullets completed the double for the South
Dunedin club, winning the men's B grade final 75-68 against
the Varsity Comets. The Andy Bay Falcons beat Otago Boys'
High School 70-60 in the men's C grade final, and Coasters
beat Andy Bay Falcons 77-55 in the women's B grade final.
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