Ayre Dominates in Preliminary Final
Written By
Kadek Thatcher for Phoenix Media
The NBL1 Finals series ramped up over the weekend as the competition draws near its end in all states across the nation.
Just three Phoenix players were still in the hunt for championship success before this round began with a Grand Final showdown between two teammates the result.
Let’s look at how our players performed and who will be going to the big dance this weekend.
Sandringham Advance to NBL1 South GF
Ben Ayre and the Sandringham Sabres meant business in their preliminary final against Diamond Valley Eagles on Saturday night.
Sandringham shot 40-22 in the first quarter, setting the tempo early and continuing it for the remainder of the game.
With Phoenix teammates Alan Williams, Gary Browne and Anzac Rissetto in attendance, Ayre put on a show for his new comrades, posting a game-high 27 points, two rebounds, eight assists and a steal.
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Sandringham took the win 107-86 and now advance to the NBL1 South Grand Final against the Knox Raiders in a re-match of the qualifying final they won a fortnight earlier.
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Rapp and Knox Head to NBL1 South GF
Austin Rapp and the Knox Raiders had to do it the hard way during the NBL1 finals series, having to travel to Mt Gambier for their preliminary final against the Pioneers on Friday.
But the trip was well worth it with the Raiders earning their way to the NBL1 Grand Final posting a 63-68 win.
Mt Gambier took it up to Austin Rapp’s side, being up by one-point going into the final term. Knox fought back, shooting 22-16 and taking the win by five points.
Coming off the bench, Rapp had a quiet game with five points, one rebound and one steal. He will now take on Ayre’s Sandringham Sabres in the Grand Final at State Basketball Centre on Saturday.
(Knox will take on Sandringham in the NBL1 South GF. Photo: Cody Radford.)
Gak Falls Short in Semi-Final
Gorjok Gak continued his hot NBL1 form on the weekend registering his 17th double-double for the season in the semi-final against Joondalup Wolves.
Gak has been on fire in recent weeks and did all he could to will his team across the line, scoring a team-high 26 points and 13 rebounds for the game.
The Tigers were in control at half time leading 49-41, but the Wolves fought back in the second half, outscoring the Willetton 58-45 and ultimately winning the game by five points.
Gak had an outstanding season in the NBL1, making the conference’s first team as well as taking out the defensive player of the year award.
Gak will now return to Melbourne to join his Phoenix teammates for pre-season duties.
<html><head></head><body><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en">Gorjok Gak cleans up the mess ? <br><br>Watch the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL1WestFinals?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL1WestFinals</a> via <a href="https://t.co/NEk1I7kaV8">https://t.co/NEk1I7kaV8</a> or the NBL1 App ?&? <a href="https://t.co/KlDV3jubU3">pic.twitter.com/KlDV3jubU3</a></p>— NBL1 (@NBL1) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL1/status/1687082107661701120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 3, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></body></html>
The Results
Ben Ayre
Sandringham Sabres 107-86 Diamond Valley Eagles
Ayre: 27 points, 2 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 steal.
Austin Rapp
Knox Raiders 68-63 Mt Gambier Pioneers
Rapp: 5 points, 1 rebound, 1 steal.
Gorjok Gak
Willetton Tigers 94-99 Joondalup Wolves
Gak: 26 points, 13 rebounds, 1 block.
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