By Tara Murray
The dream has become reality for the Bacchus Marsh Lions – they have won through to the Country Basketball League south-west grand final in their first year.
The Lions have exceeded all expectations by winning two finals and grabbing a place in the final game of the season.
Lions co-coach Jeff Feben said there was a really good feel among the playing group on Saturday night following their semi-final win over Horsham Hornets.
There were celebrations – instead of the commiseration drinks that had been anticipated.
“It was a good drive back,” Feben said. “It’s beyond what we expected when we decided on a cold winter’s night to do this.”
Facing the minor premier, the Lions led for most of the night.
After gaining the lead in the first quarter, the Lions stayed in front to secure a 77-69 win.
Feben said his side would get out to a half-decent lead before the Hornets would bring it back to a couple of buckets.
He said he was proud his side responded when challenged.
“It was a quality game, against quality opposition,” he said.
“It was nice to stand there and coach.
“We worked pretty hard as a team. The starters got us ticking along with the scoring and there was some great defensive efforts.
“The highest margin was about 10 points, but we were never able to get away.”
Still, he described the win as “our best team performance”.
Feben said the Lions had players stand up all across the court.
Jordan Kirk shut down the Hornets’ Tim Pickert after half-time.
After scoring 19 points in the first half, Pickert scored just three in the second.
“Kirky shut him down,” Feben said.
“His sole focus was on trying to stop him getting the ball and he did a really good job. I think Kirky was a little bit disappointed with his scoring, but that wasn’t what we needed him to do.”
Final scores Lions 77 Horsham 69, we will see you for the grand final in Colac next week 🏀👏👍#golions#weroarasone
Posted by Bacchus Marsh Basketball Association on Saturday, 2 February 2019
The Lions’ leading scorer, Billy Feben, grabbed 25 points, while Diquan Williams scored 20.
Williams was also big on the defensive end, with some key plays late in the game.
Jeff Feben said the likes of Jason Christian, Jake Raynor, Max Beaumont and Joshua Borninkhof all had key moments.
The Lions will play Mt Gambier Lakers in the grand final on Saturday night in Colac.
The Lakers won through to the grand final with a 95-64 win against the Bellarine Storm. The Lions faced the Lakers in the final round of the regular season, with the Lakers winning 113-77.
Jeff Feben said the Lions were hoping a big Bacchus Marsh crowd would make the trek to Colac.
“Mt Gambier is a huge challenge,” he said. “They’ve got great depth and shooting capacity. You have to stop all 10 players.
“If we play the strong defence we did this game, we can give them for a run for their money.
“They have all the expectation on them and they are expected to win.
“We’ve got nothing to lose. Anything can happen in finals.”
FOR MORE CBL NEWS
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/kyneton-tigers-season-comes-to-an-end/
