Churchie’s dominance inside leads to key victory over rivals Gregory Terrace
Anglican Church Grammar School now have one hand on the GPS Basketball premiership after their dominance inside led to a key victory over rivals, Gregory Terrace.
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Churchie now have one hand on the GPS Basketball premiership trophy after they dominated inside the paint to record a key victory over last year’s joint winners, St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace this afternoon.
Both teams headed into the match undefeated and hellbent on winning this year’s premiership outright after sharing it in 2019, however it was the discipline of Churchie which allowed them to pull away in the fourth quarter and take a 91-87 victory on the road.
Early in the game it looked as though the CJ Bruton-coached side would dominate from the outset, doubling the hosts score early through their activity and energy defensively which led to easy transition baskets.
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However, Terrace came storming back led by Max Mackinnon and closed the gap to just one basket after the first period.
The home side had all the running in the second quarter with Mackinnon continuing his impressive play, while national program big man Geordan Papacostas also started to get going.
But Churchie were able to stay in the game through their dominance on the offensive rebounds.
Despite that major problem, Terrace took a 48-43 lead into the main break.
The third quarter was much of the same early on as Churchie struggled to get much going offensively and the trademark breakaways started to roll in for Terrace, who increased their lead to double digits at one stage.
But star big man Harrison Pennisi started to hit from the outside, connecting several three-pointers to have his team within six points at the final break.
From there, whatever momentum Terrace had flew out of the building as Mackinnon spent several minutes on the sidelines in foul trouble, while the hosts offence stagnated.
On the opposite end, Churchie returned to the dominant form from the first quarter, getting the ball inside the paint at will either through dribble penetration or by grabbing offensive rebounds.
Pennisi continued to make tough shots from the perimeter for his side with several teammates joining in the fun to get to the basket at will.
Terrace made a late run but it was too late as Churchie sealed a four-point victory to all but seal the GPS title.
“Obviously very happy with the performance, I was most pleased with the composure of our guys, being able to battle their way back from being behind just like they did against TSS,” Bruton said.
“Dominating the paint and the offensive boards was huge for us, we haven’t had the size we have this year for a long time so we needed to make use of that and we did.
“I was just really pleased with the way the boys were able to stay disciplined and get the result.”
Bruton said his team was focused on finishing out the season undefeated despite enjoying a key victory today.