Meteorettes rally after captain’s injury, but fall short in state title

WATCH THE REPLAY: A tough loss after the perfect tournament will just add fuel to the fire for the Mackay Meteorettes ahead of the national championships.

The perfect run is over but the dream is just starting.

That is the message Mackay’s under-14s basketball coach Troy Brown delivered to his players after a close State Championship loss.

The Meteorettes fell to Cairns 53-48 in the grand final in Mackay, after star guard Cheyenne Bobongie tore a groin muscle in the first quarter.

(From left) Cheyenne Bobongie and Isabel Smith for the Mackay Meteorettes in the U14 State Championship final against Cairns Dolphins in Mackay. Picture: Matthew Forrest

The captain played on, mustering up 12 points by the third quarter before her injury forced her to watch on from the bench.

Emmerson Kenny for the Mackay Meteorettes in the U14 State Championship final against Cairns Dolphins in Mackay. Picture: Matthew Forrest

Brown said the girls rallied after the injury, but the absence of the side’s leading scorer was a major hurdle.

“Losing a player of her calibre is always going to be tough, but I was really pleased with how the girls stood up,” he said.

“They were in it until the last 30 seconds of the game, I’d like to play the game again with a fit Cheyenne Bobongie but that’s sport.”

Isabel Smith for the Mackay Meteorettes in the U14 State Championship final against Cairns Dolphins in Mackay, July 10, 2021. Picture: Matthew Forrest

Maggie Thornburn for the Mackay Meteorettes in the U14 State Championship final against Cairns Dolphins in Mackay. Picture: Matthew Forrest

Losing in the final was a “bittersweet” moment for the side and Mackay has advanced to the national Club Championships for reaching the last game.

“The team’s run isn’t over, we’ll go to the national titles in September with Cairns and play on that next level,” Brown said.

Sarah Lelliott for the Mackay Meteorettes U14 girls team against Cairns in the division one State Championship grand final. Picture: Matthew Forrest

“Our aim was to get gold in the state championships, but to get to play in the national titles and keep improving to get the right result is exciting.”

The Meteorettes will get three weeks off before training begins ahead of the Club Championships national event in Melbourne.

Cheyenne Bobongie for the Mackay Meteorettes U14 girls team against Cairns in the division one State Championship grand final. Picture: Matthew Forrest

The replay of the grand final is available for viewing on The Daily Mercury.