Saints' win consolidates finals berth

A TREMENDOUS win for the Myrtleford Saints in their final home and away match of the Country Basketball League season means they’re in the finals. The 109-85 drubbing of Mansfield Eagles at Mansfield sees the Saints finish third on the ladder, booking a semi-final showdown at Wallan this Sunday against the Panthers. Heavy favourites for the match, the Saints showed their class and trademark dominant first quarter performance, with a 34-17 lead which never looked in doubt. Top scorers for the match were Jalen Barker with 37 points for the second consecutive match, with Levi Young (29 points) and Tyler Barker (23 points) helping ground the Eagles for good. After two losses last weekend, coach Sam Gebauer said it was reassuring to take such a strong win ahead of the finals. “It was a nice feeling to kind of redeem ourselves a little bit as well,” he said. “As I’ve said in the past, it’s part of our game plan and who we are as a team that we do really try to come out and hit teams hard straight away. “That’s two games in a row that Jalen’s gotten 37 points, that just shows how dominant he is in this league, I feel very confident that had he played more games he’d be a sure thing for MVP. “Tyler as always is a professional and plays hard, and Levi just took the game into his hands on Saturday night. “He’s had some solid performances but that game in particular, Levi looked dominant, it didn’t look like Mansfield could do anything to stop him.” The Saints will need to overcome Wallan on their own court to book a spot in the decider against either Benalla or Seymour. The Panthers will take the home court advantage and the mental edge, having downed the Saints once before by just nine points in an overtime thriller, but Gebauer said if his team can get going, no one will be able to stand in their way. “We’re feeling very confident that we have what it takes to take Wallan on,” he said. “It’s just about stringing together four quarters of that type of basketball - there’s not a team in the league who can stop us when we’re at our best. “Wallan are a good group and you can tell they’re very similar to us: a type of group that’s kept their core together for years not and they’re seeing that put on the court this year. “That’s always a hard match-up when you’re playing against a team that has such great chemistry and works together really well. “To go out and have an opportunity to secure a spot in the grand final, these boys want it and they’re willing to fight for it.” Gebauer and the coaching team also wanted to thank the incredible support shown at all Saints games throughout the season. Myrtleford take on the Wallan Panthers at RB Robson Sport Stadium this Sunday for a place in the grand final.

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