The Deni Junior Giants saved their best performances for last at the weekend.
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The Giants travelled to Benalla for the final tournament of the 2019/20 season with four of the club’s teams making grand final appearances.
The Under 14 Girls finally tasted success for the Giants finishing their season with a grand final win after three previous grand final appearance as runner-up.
This was the team’s best tournament by far. In each game their ball movement was quick and strong often breaking open the opposition’s defensive lines.
Their ability to share the workload and work as one was integral to their success, going undefeated on their way to a semi final.
The semi final was a tight low scoring contest against Wodonga Wolves.
The U14 girls narrowly took the win by three points to set up their fourth consecutive grand final berth against Albury Cougars.
The Cougars scored on the boards early, leaving the Giants a little shell shocked, however they refused to let this one slip away.
The Giants fought hard and their pressure around the ball saw them turn defensive balls into baskets.
Deni hit the front with 10 minutes to go, but Albury kept coming.
The crowd was on the edge of their seats and as the final buzzer sounded it was a Giants win by three points.
The player of the tournament was awarded to Emma Parks. Emma’s consistency was a stand out, running from one end of the court to the other effortlessly.
The U18 Boys and Girls also both finished the season with a grand final appearance and although the result didn’t fall their way it was a good finish to the season.
The tournament saw eight top-age players play their final games for the Junior Giants with Cooper Willoughby, Aydan Matthews, Cable Fitzpatrick, Myles Amor, Gracie Willis, Molly Shaw, Jade Hussey and Ella Harvey all farewelled.
The U18 Boys had a tough first game against Wangaratta Warriors.
The Giants came out hard and strong being the only scoring side for the first 10 minutes.
Wangaratta finally hit the scoreboard to turn things around to win the first half.
Cooper Willoughby and Raymond Murphy complemented each other’s plays throughout the game.
Deni bounced back in the second half, playing well for the whole 20 minute to record a five point win.
The second game against Mansfield allowed the Giants to showcase their skills but revealing more and more confidence from Bailey Caruso.
Saturday night ended with a loss against Wodonga, where Deni were lacking in energy due to playing a second game without a break. Aydan Mathews stepped up with his strong drives and rebounds.
Sunday saw the Giants avenge the previous night’s loss with a win against Wodonga, booking a spot in their second grand final for the season.
The decider was a nail biter, but it was Wangaratta exacting their revenge from the first game of the tournament, running away with an eight point win.
The U18 girls finished off their season with their first grand final appearance.
They came up against Benalla in the decider, who had beaten them convincingly on Saturday by 15 points.
The Giants met Benalla on three occasions, losing all three games with a 15 point loss on Saturday morning and a four point loss Saturday night.
A six point win against Mansfield on Sunday morning saw the Giants qualify for the decider.
Deni could not match Benalla’s accurate shooting and three pointers in the decider, defeated 40 to 18.
Gracie Willis played her best tournament for the season and was awarded the Barber and Threadz award.
The Under 12 Girls had a stunning start to the tournament, winning their first four games in style.
Unfortunately the Giants missed too many shots in the grand final and went down to Tumut by eight points.
Coach Brendan Willoughby said the season has been an eye opener but an absolute pleasure.
“It was an unbelievable effort from Bella Hillier and Bae Willis playing on after being hurt.’’
The U16 Boys had two wins and two losses for their last tournament playing hard, fast and strong basketball all weekend.
Each game was tight and the Giants showed their fighting spirit and their commitment to the team.
They pushed harder, played smarter, defended stronger and walked off with the scars to prove it, with strapped fingers, busted teeth, skin off and bruises to take home as reminders of the physically demanding tournament at Benalla.
The U16 Girls played in Division One for the first time.
They played Yarra-Mul Lakers and Wangaratta Warriors on Saturday and the girls started strongly in both games but were unable to carry it through to the second half.
Sunday morning saw a loss to Myrtleford in a physical game before they took on Tumut in game four.
Tumut had cost the Giants two previous grand final appearances and they were hungry for a win.
Deni were competitive in the first half before being overrun in the second, falling to a 35 to 24 loss.
The U14s Boys came out of the gates firing, despite being short handed against Benalla.
Defence was the order of the day and Baxter Cowley had his best showing yet in a Giants jersey, going to battle in the paint against much taller opponents and coming out on top.
The rest of the Giants followed in his footsteps and out rebounded their opponents all game, finishing with a 10 point win.
In their second game, the boys could not find their feet against Wodonga, but fought hard all game.
The Sunday games proved challenging, as the boys came up against the Tigers and the Lakers, both of whom were playing for a grand final spot.
The Giants displayed great spirit and fought hard for every loose ball, but weren’t able to add to the win tally.
The U12 Boys team narrowly missed out on a grand final appearance finishing with three wins and two losses.
Benalla once again proved a tough tournament for the U12 Boys Development team.
The Giants came up against tall opponents making it difficult for them.
However, since beginning their journey back in October last year, the boys have continuously proved their dedication and commitment to the team.
No matter what the score line said they gave it their best and fought until the last buzzer in every game.
The Deni Junior Giants will formally wrap up their season with their annual presentation night on March 13.