By Tara Murray
Bacchus Marsh Lions’ under-12 girls team has plenty to celebrate.
After just missing out on a Victorian Junior Basketball League grand final last year, the team this year made it through to the VJBL division 1 grand final.
The Lions finished on top of pool 2, with 16 wins and only one loss.
Despite finishing on top, the Lions lost their semi final to Keilor 2 by two points, 39-37. They were lucky enough to have a second chance, and faced Broadmeadows in the preliminary final.
The two teams had some close matches during the year, but this time the Lions never looked in trouble, winning 48-32.
It set up another match up with Keilor 2, this time in the grand final.
The Lions looked the better of the two teams early, with Keilor a little sluggish after the week off.
The game though was still on the line heading into the final quarter, with the Lions leading by two points at the last break.
The Lions found another level late, outscoring Keilor 13-4 in the final quarter, to win 36-25.
Charlie McKinnon top scored with 15 points.
Lions’ Richard Morin said they were so proud how the group had played.
He said they had approached this year differently than they had 12 months earlier. He said when the pressure was on late in the grand final the girls were able to play a controlled and systematic game.
“Their development has seen them grow as junior basketballers and approach each game with the maturity and dedication of age groups way above them,” he said.
“For a minnow association compared to the likes of Keilor, Melton and Sunbury this is a massive achievement highlighting the fact that Bacchus Marsh produce quality basketballers.”
