WATCH: Flames win double under-12 grand finals, Sabres claim under-16 boys title in state champs
Relive all the action, including a couple of nailbiting finishes, in SA’s Junior Basketball Championships by watching our exclusive replays of all eight boys and girls games here.
Live Stream
Don't miss out on the headlines from Live Stream. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Norwood won the under-12 boys and girls grand finals at the State Basketball Championships on Sunday, before going down in a nailbiter in the under-14 boys match.
The Flames’ under-12 boys beat South Adelaide 43-30, while the girls proved too strong for Eastern Mavericks, 46-23.
Norwood’s under-14 boys, meanwhile, lost to North Adelaide in a heart-stopper 53-52 at St Clair Recreation Centre.
In a tournament first, The Advertiser live streamed all eight games with both girls and boys state grand finals – from under-12s to under-18s – on advertiser.com.au on Sunday.
More than 150 teams and 1600 young guns participated in the titles, now in its 38th year, across four days.
SEE BELOW TO WATCH THE REPLAYS
In the under-12 boys match, rising star Will Sheedy helped set up the Flames’ victory with a game-high 14 points.
Will was given plenty of support from teammates Oscar Zarins (10 points) and Giancarlo Alejandro, who netted seven.
Coach Ben Lomman was proud of his players.
“It’s good because they (the players) put in a lot of hard work through out the season,” Lomman said.
“We sort of set ourselves for the tournament once COVID came in and we couldn’t go to Melbourne (for the nationals).
“So we wanted to make sure we focused on state champs and put all our efforts into that.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the boys with the way they played, it was fantastic.”
Hugh Romaniuk was South’s top scorer with 11 points.
SCROLL DOWN FOR ALL SCORES
Lomman also had plenty of praise for Will but said the win was a team performance.
“We’ve got nine players who contribute, so if one isn’t playing well, another steps up,” Lomman said.
“Will has come along way, he’s a sky kid who has really stepped up this year.
“I’ve given him a lot more leadership this year and he’s done a really good job.”
In the under-12 girls game, Annaliese Elliott led the way for the Flames with 13 points, while Ava Thomson and Caitlin Hardin added 12 each.
Coach Teagan Stanley said she was “elated” for her team.
“I am very proud and very happy as they worked hard,” Stanley said.
“I said to the girls, they are 11 year olds who play like they are 15 so I am pretty blessed.
“We shared the ball around and kept our composure.
“It was a great defensive effort by all.”
Sturt claimed the under-16 boys title after defeating Central Districts 53-43.
Patrick Dickeson and Lachlan Tosh topscored for the Sabres with 12 points each.
Sturt under-16 coach Alexander Wright said his side had struggled during the regular season but played well at the state championships.
“It was just a very unexpected weekend,” Wright said.
“We haven’t been the best team (during the season) and COVID hit them pretty hard.
“But I think they just did a great job.
“They played to their strengths and they flicked a switch somewhere.
“I coached half the team four years ago in under-12s, so just being able to coach them again was great.
“We didn’t win state champs four years ago, but we did it this time, so just seeing their growth and development has been awesome.
Forestville, meanwhile, made light work of Eastern Mavericks in the under-18 girls grand final.
The Eagles were way too strong and went on to win 69-31.
Izzy Borlase, daughter of four-times Port Adelaide SANFL flag winner Darryl Borlase and former Australian champion netballer Jenny Borlase, topscored for Forestville, netting 17 points.
Jordi Vidmar, daughter of one-time Socceroos captain Aurelio Vidmar and ex-state netballer Sarah Vidmar, added 13 points for the Eagles.
Forestville finished top of Pool B after winning all three matches, before beating Southern Tigers 63-44 in the semi-final to earn a berth in the title decider.
FINAL SCORES:
■ Under-12 girls
Norwood 46 d Eastern Mavericks 23
■ Under-12 boys
Norwood 43 d South Adelaide 30
■ Under-14 girls
Forestville 38 d West Adelaide 34
■ Under-14 boys
North Adelaide 53 d Norwood 52
■ Under-16 girls
Sturt 40 d Forestville 38
■ Under-16 boys
Sturt 53 d Central Districts 43
■ Under-18 girls
Forestville 69 d Eastern Mavericks 31
■ Under-18 boys
Southern Tigers 64 d North Adelaide 58