Sweet Revenge For Perfect Barmera and Gutsy Loxton – Grand Finals

The Loxton division one women’s basketball team are the 2007 / 08 premiers following their courageous four-point triumph over traditional rivals Renmark. The gap between these two sides had been closing and after falling short in the last two deciders – it was Loxton’s turn.

            The first quarter had just two scorers with Renmark’s Kate Coden (10 points) shooting five and Leah Fisher’s basket opening proceedings for Loxton. The game opened up during the second term with Coden prominent however Loxton appeared to weather the early Renmark storm. Kelly Moore - with a five-point quarter that included a triple – and Pam Arnold’s five points were also important for Loxton. Renmark’s star point guard Tess Dempsey was held scoreless during the first half. She closely checked by Jackie Dahlitz and Kerri Griffiths as Loxton lead by one point.

            Loxton outscored Renmark by a further four points with an eight to four run. Dahlitz also became effective offensively and with Arnold shared six points in the term. Arnold reduced Coden’s influence and Renmark made some unfamiliar passing errors as well as missing easy baskets. Dempsey still had no points as Loxton clung to a five-point advantage.

            This was a Grand Final Loxton were determined not to let slip but Renmark love the big stage too. Dempsey scored her first two points at the start of the last term and an all-net triple by Lyn Sweeney (six points) made this riveting match even more. Baskets to Loxton’s Tori Jachmann and Dahlitz (eight points) almost had last year’s premiers on their knees.

            A technical foul by a frustrated Dempsey ended her night with just over a minute remaining. Arnold nailed the two foul shots awarded to her and with Loxton having possession afterwards. Moments later Loxton celebrated a deserved breakthrough win and Arnold’s 11-point game earnt her the MVP.

In the other women’s lower grade Grand Finals Renmark took out the division two Grand Final with a six point win against Loxton. Sonja Modlinski was MVP and scored 10 points for Renmark. Loxton’s Karina Tschirpig top-scored with nine points.

            Berri Red are the master’s champions following their 23-point win over Berr Blue. ‘Red’s Nicole Malycha was MVP and 11 points supported by Jo Hayes with 12. Suzanne Parkes was ‘Blue’s best with four points.

Barmera’s Belguim boom recruit, Nathan Servais’ 10-point opening quarter propelled them to their first division one men’s premiership against Renmark. Barmera were simply breathtaking in their 18-point demolition job and finished the year undefeated.

            Servais (16 points) swished two three’s as his side opened up a six-point lead at the first break. Renmark’s Craig Seekamp (17 points) drilled a triple to keep his team in it as they faced a six-point deficit at quarter time.

            It seriously appeared that Seekamp was ‘the man’ for Renmark and his shooting radar was on song during the second stanza. He drained 10 of Renmark’s 12 points with Aaron Camplin (eight points) notching the other two. Seekamp added another pair of triples.

            Whilst he was the gun for Renmark – Barmera had an artillery. Dillon Millard and youngster of great promise, Adam Grose, each scored five points that included triples. Team-mate Jason Klingeil also shot an off-the-backboard three adding further pain to Renmark. Point guard Kenny Wright displayed wonderful ball-handling wizardry in heavy keyway traffic and he opened and closed out the quarter with baskets.

            Seekamp had 15 points by half time but Renmark were 13 points down to a Barmera side that had Danny Millard yet to get into his usual scoring stride. It appeared the scoreboard and clock went out for Renmark in the third quarter. They struggled to score and time was against them.  The scoreboard and clock did go out literally.

            A brief halt in play as the problem was attempted to be solved and play commenced with the use of a stopwatch. Danny Millard netted six in the low-scoring third term and the Barmera had one hand on the premiership cup as they led by 17 points.

            Barmera had five individual scorers in the last term with Servais leading the way and Grose successfully stroking another triple. Renmark struggled to contain Barmera’s multiple scoring avenues that were continually fed by MVP Wright.

Loxton defeated Renmark by four points in the division two men’s Grand Final. S Rose stroked 10 points for Loxton who had too much experience and veteran Mark Lueth’s nine points were vital. Renmark’s Matt Camplin was MVP with a game-high 20 points.

 Renmark upset previously undefeated Loxton by 4 points in the master’s decider. In a physical match Renmark’s Rick Frahn’s shooting early in the game and their overall desperation, when the game was on the line, were crucial. Renmark’s Nick Kossatch was MVP with 14 points and Craig Ociepa tenacious. Craig Todd was Loxton’s best with seven points.

SCORES GRAND FINALS

DIVISION ONE

 MENS

Barmera 53 (N.Servais 16, Danny Millard; Dillon Millard, A. Grose 8, K. Wright 7, J. Klingbiel 5, R. Hodgson 1) d Renmark 35 (C. Seekamp 17, A. Camplin 8, R. Vardaro 6, M. Menz 3, D. Leuders 1) Grand Final MVP: Kenny Wright (Barmera). Season MVP: Simon Dymmott (Loxton). Runner-up: Dillon Millard (Barmera)

DIVISION TWO

Loxton 47 (S. Rose 10, M. Lueth; A. Pocock 9, M. Taylor 8, G. Fisher 5, R. Cook 4, M. Eldridge 2) d Renmark 42 (M. Camplin 20, J. Morrison 10, T. Mason 5, R. Bennett 4, L. Humphries 2) Grand Final MVP: Matt Camplin (Renmark). Season MVP: Stefan Defrancesco (Barmera). Runner-up: Mick Taylor (Loxton).

MASTERS

Renmark 31 (N. Kossatch 14, R. Frahn 6, C. Ociepa 5, J. Rigby-Meth; G. Morrison; V. Warnock 2) d Loxton 27 (M. Harris 10, C. Todd 7, D. Gregan 5, S. Harris; B. Holmes 2, T. Vivian 1) Grand Final MVP: Nick Kossatch (Renmark). Season MVP: Craig Todd (Loxton). Runner-up: Phil Pfennig (Berri)

WOMENS

DIVISION ONE

Loxton 36 (P. Arnold 11, J. Dahlitz 8, K. Moore 7, T. Jachmann 4, K. Griffiths 3, L. Fisher 2, E. Will 1) d Renmark 32 (K. Coden 10, L. Sweeney 6, R. Leuders 5, L. Leuders; J. Haynes; K. Eckel 3, T. Dempsey 2) Grand Final MVP: Pam Arnold (Loxton). Season MVP: Jackie Dahlitz (Loxton). Runner-up: Kate Coden (Renmark)

DIVISION TWO

Renmark 28 (S. Modlinski 10, A. Modlinski 8, R. Nisbett 4, L. Brand; E. Wagnitz, D. Gartery 2) d Loxton 22 (K. Tschirpig 9, L. Koehne 8, R. Hammerstein 4, N. Nisbett 1) Grand Final MVP: Sonja Modlinski (Renmark). Season MVP: Anita Modlinski (Renmark). Runner-up: Renae Dillon (Barmera)

MASTERS

Berri Red 37 (J. Hayes 12, N. Malycha 11, M. Morris 8, A. Zanetic 6) d Berri Blue 14 (M. O’Leary-Fletcher; S. Parkes 4, J. Brand; K. Wyman; S. Jennings 2) Grand Final MVP: Nicole Malycha (Berri Red). Season MVP: Jo Brand (Berri Blue). Runner-up: Jo Hayes (Berri Red).                                

Another Loxton Straight Sets Exit– Prelim Finals

Renmark’s remarkable turnaround continued after they defeated Loxton by seven points in the men’s division one Preliminary Final. Renmark, which has not missed a Grand final berth since 1992, progress to yet another on Thursday against red-hot favourites Barmera. Like AFL team Port Adelaide of 2007 – few expected Renmark to make the championship decider as well, particularly when it too is in a rebuilding stage.

            Renmark’s emerging centre-forward Michael Menz opened the scoring when he intercepted a wayward Loxton pass and then negotiated an easy lay-up. From that point Loxton began to play the better basketball and Simon Dymmott (16 points) scored seven consecutive points for a 10 to four-point lead early in the second quarter.

            Gradually Renmark began to claw back into the match despite Dymmott’s desperation at the offensive and defensive ends. His duel against Craig Seekamp was enthralling and honours were even between these two champions going into the half time break. Seekamp’s six points helped Renmark to edge clear by two points and team-mate Daniel Leuders was also a significant scoring contributor.

            As the final progressed Loxton’s reliance on Dymmott grew. In contrast Renmark’s Adam Dunhill and Aaron Camplin (seven points), along with Leuders and Menz, became factors. Renmark was assured of victory as their lead swelled beyond 10 points in during the last term after consecutive baskets to Rohan Vardaro – another youngster with confidence on the rise.

            A long bomb by Dymmott from the baseline reduced the margin by three. Apart from Nick Uren, who supported Dymmott admirably, Loxton were left to rue because of little input from their second-tier players. Conversely this proved the difference with Renmark’s lesser lights ably assisting Seekamp who top-scored for them with 10 points.

            Against the brilliant Barmera they need to step up further in the decider but with all the pressure on the undefeated Lakesiders.

            The Loxton women’s team rebounded from last week’s narrow loss to Renmark with 19-point drubbing over Barmera. They resume hostilities against Renmark in a much-anticipated Grand Final on Thursday.

            Barmera’s Charmaine Seekamp (seven points) and Leanne Menz kept them in the game during the first half. Loxton were actually one-point down at the interval with game-breaker Jackie Dahlitz surprisingly quiet with just two points. The Lakesiders held Loxton to a five-point second quarter whilst scoring 10 themselves with five different scorers.

            Not surprisingly though Dahlitz responded and brought her team back to life with a 12 to six third term and a five-point lead at three-quarter-time. Dahlitz helped herself to six points for the term and Kerrie Griffiths posting four.

            The final stanza was Loxton at its’ merciless best with Barmera having no answers on how to counter an 11-point barrage from Dahlitz that included a triple. She finished with a match-winning 19 points – 17 of those were during the second half and she left her best in that last quarter.

            Allison McDonald and Griffiths both swished eight points for Loxton with Pam Arnold again offered inside-the-key grunt. Barmera can take heart from an excellent first half and Lisa’s Millard and Fauser also showed positive signs with four points each. 

SCORES PRELIMINARY FINALS

DIVISION ONE

 MENS

Renmark 37 (C. Seekamp 10, A. Camplin 7, D. Leuders; A. Dunhill 6, R. Vardaro; M. Menz 4) d Loxton 30 (S. Dymmott 16, N. Uren 5, S. Proud 4, R. Mitchell; S. Goetze 2, J. Reichstein 1)

DIVISION TWO

Renmark 40 (M. Camplin 25, R. Bennett 9, T. Mason 4, L. Humphries 2) d Barmera 36 (S. Defrancesco 13, B. Harrington 9, S. Golding; B. Morelli 5, S. Horsley; R. Morrelli 2)

MASTERS

Renmark d Berri on forfeit

WOMENS

DIVISION ONE

Loxton 46 (J. Dahlitz 19, A. McDonald; K. Griffiths 8, P. Arnold; K. Moore 5, T. Jachmann 1) d Barmera 27 (C. Seekamp 7, J. Lange; L. Menz; L. Fauser; L. Millard 4, S. Millard 3)

                                                              DIVISION TWO

Loxton 59 (R. Hammerstein 13, K. Tschirpig; C. Venning 11, L. Koehne; S. Purvis 8, N. Langford 2) d Lakers 39 (R. Dillon 15, S. Whitbourne 8, L. Vlassopoulos 7, C. Drogemuller 5, E. Marks 4)

MASTERS

Berri Red 26 (M. Morris 14, N. Malycha 5, J. Hayes 4, L. Mensforth 3) d Renmark 15 (A. Ivanovic; S. Duggin; L. Pearce 4, K. Trenwith 3)

 DIVISION ONE PROGRAMME – THURSDAY 13th March

 (Grand Finals)

D1M – Renmark v Barmera 9.30pm @ Renmark (court two)

D1W – Renmark v Loxton 8.30pm @ Renmark (court two)

D2M – Renmark v Loxton 7.30pm @ Renmark (court two)

D2W – Renmark v Loxton 7pm @ Renmark (court one)

MM – Renmark v Loxton 8pm @ Renmark (court one)

MW – Berri Blue v Berri Red 6.30pm @ Renmark (court two)

BARMERA CONTINUE IN A GRAND MILLARD WAY– Semi Finals

Renmark’s hard-fought two-point win over Loxton paved their way to a Grand Final berth next week in division one women’s basketball. In a tight and physical second semi final it was Loxton that started the stronger with disciplined defence that forced Renmark into uncharacteristic errors. Kellie Moore began brightly with a four-point opening quarter whilst Loxton’s Kerri Griffiths and Tess Dempsey (10 points) had an enticing one-on-one battle. Loxton led eight to four at the first break and seemed to have all the answers.

            Renmark gradually began to run its’ offences coherently through the likes of Dempsey and the evergreen Jo Haynes. Both posted four points and young star Reeni Leuders showed assuredness as a point guard after coming off the bench. Loxton’s Jackie Dahlitz (seven points) and Pam Arnold also exerted some influence – Dahlitz with her driving to the basket and Arnold’s strength inside the key proving crucial.

            Loxton could only manage a paltry three points in the championship quarter and Renmark only doubled that with Dempsey and Haynes scoring three apiece. The youthful legs of Kate Coden for Renmark sparked them and a three-pointer from Leuders had Renmark leading by six points with 90 seconds left.

            Loxton pressed scoring the last four points through Arnold and Dahlitz but it was to no avail upon completion of a grand match.

            The men’s second semi final yielded a total score of 92 points with Barmera marching to a 14-point triumph over Loxton. Barmera will play in their second Grand Final in three years but Loxton had the better of the battle early via man-mountain Simon Dymmott.

            His telescopic arms pulled down numerous rebounds and his four points instrumental in their two point lead at quarter time. The match turned to Barmera’s advantage during the second stanza with Danny Millard being the recipient to brother Dillon. Danny had seven points for the half and this player has been ever-so-focussed throughout the season.

            An ungainly triple from the Lakesider’s Jason Klingbiel off the backboard rounded the first half that had them in front by five points. Barmera then put the afterburners into overdrive as they scorched 17 points during the third quarter to Loxton’s eight. Dillon Millard netted eight of those including a fouled triple that turned into a four-point play after his successful foul shot.

            Barmera had an insurmountable 14-point lead at the last break and despite Nick Uren (eight points) and Dymmott’s efforts Loxton could not reduce the margin in the last term during which Sam Proud scored seven points as well. Dymmott and Dillon Millard both had game high tallies of 14 points. It was Danny who was quite magnificent all game with 13 points and several strong rebounds. Team-mate Kenny Wright was his usual creative self but Barmera’s Grand Final challengers need to create something special to upset them.

            Barmera’s damaging trio of Leanne Menz, Lisa Fauser and Charmaine Seekamp were the difference in its’ 31-point thumping of Berri in the knock-out final. Menz finished with 20 points ably assisted by Lisa Fauser with 14 and both players had six-point opening quarters. Seekamp chimed in with a 10-point bag.

            Berri could only battle their way through the Barmera barrage and Helen Limu was its’ stellar performer with nine points with very little support. On the contrary Menz gorged herself with a 12-point feast in the second term and her side simply did not let up.

            Berri were at their best in the final quarter nailing 11 points with Limu scoring six of those. The Lakesider’s still managed 16 with Jill Huckle-Hicks and Jill Lange joining in the fray during the term that had both sides going through the motions.

            In the men’s cut-throat final Renmark ended Berri’s finals campaign with their four-point win. Berri, for the majority of the match, played the better and more team-orientated basketball.

            Tim Bartsch (12 points) got it going for Berri with seven first quarter points including a triple and Daniel Leuders doing the same for Renmark. Just six points were scored collectively in the second quarter and Berri posted four of those and they led by three points at half time.

            Berri’s point guard David O’Callaghan (nine points) was a point of concern for Renmark as was Aaron Camplin for Berri. Camplin was the catalyst in Renmark’s 13 to six point run during the third period. Michael Menz started to become a threat and his young Renmark team-mate Rohan Vardaro launched a successful triple early in the third quarter.

            Renmark’s lead was four points at three quarter time without much input from champion Craig Seekamp who just a solitary point at that stage. He opened the last with a triple followed by O’Callaghan’s long bomb. Seekamp added a further six to have Renmark with a seemingly match-winning lead. One of those included him wresting the ball from Peter Safralidis and scoring an easy basket to Safralidis’ horror.

            Chris Scholefield’s consecutive brace of triples added late life to Berri but Renmark also wrested that away from them as young tyros Leuders and Menz final two baskets completed Berri’s ‘House of Pain’ visit.

SCORES

(RESULTS)

DIVISION ONE

 MENS

1^st  Semi Final: Renmark 40 (C. Seekamp 10, A. Camplin 9, A. Dunhill 7, M. Menz 6, D. Leuders 5, R. Vardaro 3) d Berri 36 (T. Bartsch 12, C. Scolefield; D. O’Callaghan 9, P. Safralidis 4, T. Glen 2)

2^nd Semi Final: Barmera 53 (Dillon Millard 14, Danny Millard 13, K. Wright 7, N. Servais; R. Hodgson 6, A. Grose 4) d Loxton 39 (S. Dymmott 14, S. Proud 9, N. Uren 8, R. Mitchell 4, B. Mules; J. Reichstein 2)

DIVISION TWO

1^st Semi Final: Barmera 29 (S. Defrancesco 11) d Berri Blue 28 (J. Iovino 7)

2^nd Semi Final: Loxton 26 (M. Taylor 12) d Renmark 22 (J. Morrison 8)

WOMENS

DIVISION ONE

1^st Semi Final: Barmera 52 (L. Menz 20, L. Fauser 14, C. Seekamp 10, J. Huckle-Hicks 6, J. Lange 2) d Berri 21 (H. Limu 9, K. Blowes; N. Van der Hoek 4. T. Darmody; L. Beech 2)

2^nd Semi Final: Renmark 34 (T. Dempsey 10, J. Haynes 9, K. Coden 6, R. Leuders 5, L. Sweeney 4) d Loxton 32 (J. Dahlitz 7, P. Arnold; K. Griffiths 6, K. Moore 5, L. Fisher 4, A. McDonald; T. Jachmann 2)

                                                              DIVISION TWO

1^st Semi Final: Barmera 48 (R. Dillon 18) d Supercats 28 (D. Coombe 8)

2^nd Semi Final: Renmark 40 (A. Modlinski 12) d Loxton 23 (R. Hammerstein 8)

MASTERS

1^st Semi Final: Berri Red 39 (M. Morris 13) d Loxton 24 (J. Falland 8)

2^nd Semi Final: Berri Blue 27 (S. Parkes 9) d Renmark 14 (L. Pearce 6)

DIVISION ONE PROGRAMME – THURSDAY 6th March

 (Preliminary Finals)

D1M – Renmark v Loxton 9.30pm @ Renmark

D1W – Barmera v Loxton 8.30pm @ Renmark

D2M – Renmark v Barmera 7.30pm @ Renmark

D2W – Loxton v Barmera 6.30pm @ Renmark

MM – Renmark v Berri 8.30pm @ Barmera

MW – Renmark v Berri Red 7.30pm @ Barmera

NO LOVE LOST FOR LOXTON AND MILLARDS MAUL BERRI – Round 14

The high-flying Renmark division one women’s basketball team were pushed to the limit by a Kelly Moore-inspired Loxton outfit in Renmark on Thursday night. The hosts (Renmark’s) three-point win almost assures them(it) an undefeated minor round as they(it) take(s) on lowly Berri in next week’s last minor round fixture.

            Moore was a major threat for Renmark(with an 18-point game-high haul), but she had little support other than Jackie Dahlitz. Dahlitz, who has been averaging 14 points this season was held to half that by a Kate Coden-led defence. Renmark veteran Lyn Sweeney (eight points) drilled two threes in the first half and her eight-point tally during that time was critical as her side clung to a two-point lead at the major break.

            Both sides went point for point during the third period with superstar Tess Dempsey (10 points) playing at her consistent best for Renmark. Moore was restricted to just two points in this stanza(quarter) and by the end of it the hosts(Renmark) still led by two points.

            Whilst(While) Moore rattled five of her team’s six last quarter points, the experience and guile of Jo Haynes, Dempsey and the height of Coden, were key elements in Renmark’s win. The match was a perfect hit-out for both clubs who are likely to square off in the second semi final in nine days time.

             Renmark’s (division one) men’s side completed a winning quinella with a resounding 11-point win against traditional rivals Loxton. Young guard Daniel Leuders’ 12-point (two triples) game was by far his best in his second year at the top level.

            The hosts(Renmark) dominated from the outset with a 16-point opening stanza where Craig Seekamp (11 points), Michael Menz and the rugged Peter Dempsey proved too strong for a out-of-sorts Loxton. (Dempsey finished with a nine-point match.) It was only Simon Dymmott and Nick Uren (nine points) – Loxton’s two best performers this season – who provided any real spark.

            Renmark’s half time lead was 10 points and although Loxton matched them (it) during the second half – any threat of a comeback was thwarted with Leuders’ second three in the last term. Loxton will need to find form this week when they travel to Barmera to complete the minor round – a likely prelude to the second semi final in the following week.

            Barmera’s two Lisa’s – Millard and Fauser – combined with 23 points in (its easy) 22-point win over hosts Berri. It was ‘the other Seekamp’ Charmaine who began Berri’s rot with a six-point opening stanza and the veteran Renmark recruit posted 10 points.(Charmaine Seekamp began with a six-point opening quarter and the former Renmark player posted 10 points)

 It was a night out for the Millard siblings with Lisa stroking a game-high 12 points with Fauser having 11 points complemented by Leanne Menz’s strength inside the paint.

The hosts were simply under-sized and only Natalie van der Hoek with six points and Helen Limu (five points) displayed any real pride for the struggling side. (They meet each other in the cut throat first semi on Thursday week and Barmera would be confident enough that their throats will be safe. Deleted))

In an entertaining basketball shoot-out, Barmera shot a whopping 56 points in their(its) 14-point triumph against(over) Berri. After watching sister Lisa top-scoring in the earlier encounter, Dillon put on a show of his own. The gifted guard/forward torched 26 points that was decorated with three triples in a gift-wrapped vintage(deleted) Valentines night performance.

Berri made a sluggish opening stanza, with ex-Barmera(deleted) guard Tim Bartsch’s triple the only highlight for them. Forward Ryan Hodgson nailed six points for Barmera with Dillon Millard setting the pace with seven.

Berri reduced Barmera’s lead by four points by(at) half time with a 14 to 10 run in the second quarter, with David O’Callahan’s five points(deleted) leading the way. Gavin Hood (eight points) started to have an influence, before the visitors stretched the lead beyond 10 points in the third term on the back of more Millard magic.

The other Millard, Danny, after a quiet first three stanzas(quarters) came into his own with a burst of seven points in the last quarter to share that same tally with Dillon. Nathan Servais’ athleticism and 200cm height worried the life out of the hosts with his 12-point match.

Berri will need for Joel McKay to return promptly to assist with more scoring and defensive nous, particularly the latter, if they are to make inroads into the finals series.

SCORES

(RESULTS)

DIVISION ONE

 MENS

Renmark 40 (D. Leuders 12, C. Seekamp 11, P. Dempsey 9, M. Menz 6, A. Dunhill 2) d Loxton 29 (N. Uren 9, S. Dymmott 6, B. Hampel 4, J. Fielke; J. Reichstein 3, R. Mitchell 2)

Barmera 56 (Dillon Millard 26, N. Servais 12, Danny Millard 8, R. Hodgson 6, K. Wright; A. Grose 2) d Berri 42 (G. Hood 8, T. Bartsch 7, T. Glen; C. Scholefield 6, P. Safralidis; D. O’Callahan; M. Hill 5)

DIVISION TWO

Renmark 33 d Berri Blue 27

Barmera 35 d Berri Red 19

MASTERS

Loxton 39 d Renmark 28

 WOMENS

DIVISION ONE

Renmark 38 (T Dempsey 10, L. Sweeney; R. Leuders 8, J. Haynes; K. Coden 5, L. Leuders; A. Williams 1) d Loxton 35 (K. Moore 18, J. Dahlitz 7, K. Griffiths; P. Anderson 3, L. Fisher; A. McDonald 2)