The final day of club basketball is set to tip off this weekend – with the Miles Toyota Premier Leagues wrapping up an exciting day of action.
The day starts off at 8:50am when the First Team for the Women’s U21 competition will be recognised on court before the first competition of the day tips off at 9am. UC-CGHS (10-5) takes on Lincoln University (13-2) in the Women’s U21 competition, with both teams boasting two members each from the Grade’s First team. These teams have met three times so far this season, with LU winning two, but UC-CGHS winning the most recent match-up between the teams.
At 10:40am Lincoln University has their second team of the day, with the LU Bulls (14-1) taking the court in the Men’s U23 Grand Final against Gators Green (12-3). These two clubs met in 2013 – with Gators winning then, before LU went four straight seasons lifting the hardware at the end. Gators were beaten finalists last year to a dominant UC team, and have a chance to learn from that loss like LU did back in 2014. The Men’s U23 First team will be recognised on court before this game tips off.
Also at 10:40, the Men’s U20 Development Final takes place with UC-CBHS (9-2) coming up against the StAC Wolverines (6-5). STAC won the first meeting by one solitary point, before UC-CBHS won the next two games in far more convincing fashion.
The Men’s Division One Championship has plenty of talent on display, with long time premier players taking the court for each team. Atami Casa de Banos (13-3) will have the Howell brothers leading the way, while newcomers Mid Canterbury (10-6) has the hard to guard Pip Johnston at the forefront. This game is scheduled to tip at 12:20pm. Johnston will receive a First Team award along woth the other players recognised at approximately 12:10pm.
On court two, The Men’s Under 20 Middle Grade final has North Canterbury (5-2) and the Papanui Wolverines (4-3) facing off at 12:20pm. NC had a convincing 99-71 win in the only previous game between these two teams this season.
Just before the 2pm games, we’ll have both grades’ First team winners recognised. On Court One, the Men’s Under 20 A Final has the STC Pacers Yellow (9-5) and Checkers (9-5) playing, after STC Pacers Yellow won by two in their previsou meeting this year. Caleb Conyers and Tom Hughes from Checkers, and Tanae Lavery from the Pacers will look to lead by example on the court after being selected to the first team by their opponents.
On Court Two the Women’s Division One Final has the sister teams from Halswell playing, as Green (13-2) and Red (11-4) play. Red is expected to be without their floor general Bridget Fairweather’s services due to injury, making it look like the Green Team will be given the favourite tag for this game.
As soon as court two is clear, courtside seating will be set up along the sideline for the Miles Toyota Premier League Finals. After the Women’s Premier First team has been recogniused we’ll have the 2018 Champions – North Canterbury (11-4) take on the 2017 counterparts from Lincoln University (10-5) for the third consecutive year. NC has won all three matchups this season, but expect a close match here with both teams likely at full strength.
A quick intermission before the final game of the 2019 season allows us to recognise some of our major award winners: Administrators of the Year; Coach of the Year; Services to Basketball; Bruce Martin – Contribution to Basketball; Club of the Year. The First Team from the Miles Toyota Men’s Premier League will get their recognition on court.
UC (12-2) will be looking to go back-to-back in the Men’s Premier final, but Pioneer (9-5) has been steadily improving over the season. The teams have split their two matchups, but one of the biggest questions will be UC’s health – Max Allin was lost for the season in game two between these two teams with a torn ACL, and Josh Petermann had a reasonably severe ankle sprain earlier in the week, while over in Japan while competing in the 3X3.EXE Premier League Finals. More often than not, the final club game of the year has gone down to the absolute wire, so be sure to join us on Saturday and experience the end of the 2019 Club Season.
For more on the two Premier League Finals, make sure to watch the Week 18 episode of the Close Out:
https://www.facebook.com/canterburybasketball/videos/2396443433776883
We have been granted a special alcohol licence for our Senior Finals Day. This licence will allow us to sell alcohol in Cowles Stadium from 3:00pm until 7:00pm. Only alcohol purchased on site may be consumed at Cowles Stadium. Food will be available to be purchased on the day in addition to alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Courtside seating will be set up on court two for people to enjoy the Premier League Finals from approximately 3:30pm until the end of the games. The full draw for the day can be seen here.
