Underdogs pull off semi upsets
AN OUTSTANDING pair of individual performances have hauled FNQ Basketball Super League underdogs Atherton and Mulgrave into this weekend's semi-finals
The Super League’s unique finals concept, which allows the last and second-last placed sides in the six-team competition to contest finals, provided a pair of thrilling contests at the weekend with the outsiders winning through.
Former Cairns Taipans guard Deba George set a new finals scoring record with his 46-point haul for Atherton, helping the previously winless Harriers to a 91-89 win against third-placed Saints.
The Harriers entered the clash as massive underdogs after a 0-15 season record but Saints could not contain George, the competition’s leading scorer.
Atherton jumped to a 10-point lead at the opening break and extended it to 12 by halftime.
Saints entered the playoffs as the form team of the competition and came home with a wet sail as Garrett Ellwood (20 points) and CJ Ahwang (27 points) rallied. But the Harriers held on to win.
Fifth-placed Mulgrave followed the Harriers’ lead in the second final, overcoming Bulldogs on the back of an inspirational effort from captain Nathan Selsby.
The win looked unlikely at halftime with the Dogs leading by 26 on the back of strong attacking play from Thomas Samuels (29 points) and Kerry Williams (26) but Selsby took control down the stretch, scoring nine of his 18 points in the final term to seal the win.
Atherton will take on second-placed Phoenix in Sunday’s semi-final with Mulgrave playing minor premiers Timberwolves in the other match at the Bendigo Bank Basketball Centre.
ATHERTON HARRIERS 91 (Deba George 46, Clinton Cameron 14) d SAINTS 89 (CJ Ahwang 27, Garrett Ellwood 20); MULGRAVE MAGIC 88 (Nathan Selsby 18, Craig Fairly 17) d BULLDOGS 86 (Thomas Samuel 29, Kerry Williams 25).
Semi-finals, Sunday March 8, 2.30pm: Atherton v Phoenix; 4pm: Mulgrave v Timberwolves.
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