Mackay Meteors: four moments of NBL1 grand finals

From scrappy defence to clutch three-pointers, these are the four key moments from Mackay’s game one win in NBL1 North grand final.

Jerron Jamerson for the Mackay Meteors in the NBL1 North grand final game one against Cairns Marlins, 10 September 2021. Picture: Matthew Forrest

The Meteors are just 40 minutes of basketball away from the NBL1 North premiership after defeating Cairns in a three-point thriller.

Mackay closed out a memorable game one victory at home, with the Meteors only needing to win one of the remaining two games to clinch the title.

The lead continued to change hands throughout the contest, with Meteors coach Joel Khalu identifying critical moments of the match.

Defence v Defence

After averaging 98.67 points across their last three games, the Meteors were carrying good shooting touch into the grand final.

Both Cairns and Mackay brought a defence-first mindset which, combined with grand final nerves, resulted in a season-low 35-point first half for the Meteors.

Khalu said despite the low scoreline, he could not fault the early effort.

Viliami Foketi for the Mackay Meteors in the NBL1 North grand final game one against Cairns Marlins, 10 September 2021. Picture: Matthew Forrest

“There were a few nerves in the boys, but I thought we started well,” he said.

“We came out with that intent, it was definitely scrappy though.

“It was always going to be a defensive contest between two defence-first teams and coaches.”

Cleaning the glass

Controlling the rebound count is a crucial element to any basketball game, with second-chance points on offer at the offensive end and getting stops important on the defensive side.

Mackay had control of the glass against Cairns, winning the rebound count 39-30.

Emmanuel Malou made nine, Viliami Foket grabbed seven and Jerron Jamerson pitched in with five.

“We took care of the glass,” Khalu said.

“The rebounding was one part of the game that I knew would be a factor, so winning the count by nine definitely helped in the end.”

Offensive and defensive masterclass

Jamerson has been a key contributor throughout the NBL1 North season for Mackay.

The shooting guard had one of his best games of the season in game one, with 26 points on 12 shots, seven rebounds and five assists.

Jamerson also had two steals and three blocks to round out his game.

Jerron Jamerson for the Mackay Meteors in the NBL1 North grand final game one against Cairns Marlins, 10 September 2021. Picture: Matthew Forrest

Despite the guard missing some late-game free throws, Khalu said he had full confidence in the energetic star.

“Jerron and Manny have been our two best free throw shooters this year, so for him to miss a couple was surprising,” he said.

“But that’s big-game pressure, some of those moments happen and tomorrow is a new game.”

Manny Magic turned tides

With Mackay trailing during the last quarter, the side needed a few clutch shots to regain the lead.

After some errors made with the ball in hand, Malou stepped up for the Meteors with six minutes left in the contest.

Down four, Malou scored a bucket at the rim, before following it up with a three-point shot to tie the game with two minutes remaining.

He also grabbed the final rebound to secure the three-point victory.

Emmanuel Malou for the Mackay Meteors in the NBL1 North grand final game one against Cairns Marlins, 10 September 2021. Picture: Matthew Forrest

Khalu said Malou’s second half swung the game in Mackay’s favour.

“Manny got in some foul trouble early and I knew we had to save him for the second half,” he said.

“When he hit those two threes in the third and fourth quarter, with the second tying the game up, it gave us all the momentum.

“His last quarter was huge for us.”

Originally published as Mackay Meteors: four moments of NBL1 grand finals