Basketball
16 December, 2024
Hornets crowned CBL South West Victorian champions
The Horsham Hornets won their second Country Basketball League title in four seasons, defeating the Mount Gambier Lakers by six points in the grand final of the South West Victoria division at Portland Basketball Stadium on Saturday night.
The Hornets headed into the game on a ten-game winning streak, with their only loss coming against Millicent in round one, while Mount Gambier came in with an eight-game winning streak, with their last loss coming against the Hornets.
Wanting to make amends for last season's grand final loss to the Lakers in February and the semi-final loss the season before to the Lakers and to mark club stalwart Matty Lovel's 200th, the Hornets came out with buzzing intent, with Austin McKenzie scoring the first two baskets of the game, scoring five of the first seven points to give the Hornets a 7-0 lead early.
The Lakers responded, and with two minutes remaining, Addi Noble scored to level the score at 13-13. The Hornets, however, saw out the quarter to take a two-point, 20-18 lead into quartertime.
Matthew Berkfeld scored the first basket of the second quarter, and Matty Lovel scored his first of the grand final after coming onto the court. The Hornets, through McKenzie and Mitch Martin, took a four-point lead before the Lakers fought back to take the lead with just over five minutes remaining.
The Hornets slowly started to dominate, playing their brand of basketball. They fought back to lead by seven points at the main break.
Hornets coach Scott Benbow told his troops at half-time that the Lakers would come at them to play the way they played the final minutes of the second quarter, as that's the way they wanted to play.
Like the second quarter, the Lakers came out hard in the third and took the lead halfway through the quarter when Kyle Tipene made a basket.
The Hornets then extended their lead back to five, but the Lakers, through Kyle Tipene and Simon Berkefeld, were able to level the scores at three-quarter time.
In last season's grand final in February, the scores were level at three-quarter time, and Benbow reminded them of that fact and talked about how they ran over them and not to let it happen again.
Micah Livingstone scored the first basket of the last quarter, and the teams then followed basket by basket, with the Lakers hitting the lead with six minutes remaining thanks to Braiden Ousey.
McKenzie and Ousey then traded baskets. When McKenzie was fouled, he made two free throws to level the scores. Shortly after, the Lakers edged a point clear.
The Hornets started to gain momentum. With three minutes remaining, Cody Bryan scored, and McKenzie followed with two baskets, bringing the Hornets' lead to five points.
McKenzie and Livingstone combined well to extend the lead to eight points with two minutes left.
The Lakers then called a timeout. When Freddy Frew nailed a basket, the lead was ten, and the Hornets started to believe.
However, as all good teams do, Mount Gambier powered back into the match. With one minute remaining, Berkefeld nailed a three-pointer, reducing the Hornets' lead to three points.
Through Livingstone and Martin, the Hornets extended the lead back out to six, and then Tipene nailed a three to bring it back to three points with 12 seconds remaining.
The Hornets held their nerve, and Frew made two crucial free throws when he was fouled. The Hornets then held on to win 88-82.
This was the Hornets' third premiership since the CBL's inception in 2012. Their two wins came against Bendigo in 2018 and Portland in 2022.
Following the conclusion of the 2023/2024 season in February, the CBL decided to compact the 2024 season into two months, with double headers galore, which was perfect for the Hornets.
They worked hard to make it work for them, and Scott Benbow said it was a reward for perseverance.
"It's a fantastic result. They are a good side, easy to coach, and I love them to death. It brings so much joy to avenge the loss from February," Benbow said.
The leaders stepped up. What a game. They were all amazing."
Austin McKenzie scored 42 points in the win, with Michah Livingstone and Mitch Martin scoring 12 apiece and Cody Bryan and Fred Frew scoring double figures with ten each.
Simon Berkefeld led the way for the Lakers with 25 points, with Kyle Tipene next best with 21.
McKenzie was named the grand-final MVP, and Benbow said he was terrific.
"Austin was amazing and is a hell of a player," Benbow said.
"He is a ripping young bloke and is the heart and soul of our team, led by example.
"On the bus trip on the way over from Horsham, you could tell he was ready. He has put in years of hard work, and it's paid off."
McKenzie was also the only Hornet named in the 2024 All-Star Five team.
Benbow said he had hugged Matt Lovel when he knew they had won.
"It's just the best result for him. He is a lovely bloke, one of my best mates, and we have won two together," Benbow said.
"Whatever he does next, I do not doubt he will succeed."
Cody Bryan was named Defensive Player of the Year for the third consecutive year, and Benbow said he was sensational.
"When you win one, you say it's a freak; when you win two, you say it's unbelievable; but when you win three in a row, you show that you are a stud, and that is what Cody is," Benbow said.
"You saw how important he is defensively in the last quarter with a massive game-saving block. He is a fantastic player and deserves the accolade."
The other big news following the game, which drew a massive response from the Hornets, was when 16-year-old Micah Livingstone was named league MVP for a stellar rookie season.
"What a debut season for Micah, and I am surprised he didn't make the All-Star Five," Benbow said.
"He has had a lot of hard luck over the last couple of seasons with his body letting him down, with various ankle injuries, and all sorts of things, but he has put in a lot of hard work to get where he is.
"His family drives him everywhere for his basketball commitments, and he is a stud, and I can't wait to see what he looks like when he is 22."
