Sun sets for Sherbrooke

SHERBROOKE’S Division 1 men were eliminated from the finals race after losing to Hawthorn Magic 113-107 in one of the most entertaining games ever staged at Monbulk.
Both teams were well aware of the consequences of losing and the game was a tense/tight affair from the tip-off.
The Suns started brightly and appeared to catch the Magic flat footed. Quarter time saw them up by eight points.
The second quarter was goal for goal as the Magic reduced the Suns lead to four points at the main break.
The intensity of the game lifted in the third quarter as the lead continually changed hands, but it was Hawthorn who were to enter the final quarter with a three-point lead.
Even though it didn’t seem possible the game intensified even further in the final stanza as Hawthorn skipped out to a 17-point margin only to have Sherbrooke claw back to within four points with two minutes remaining.
The final two minutes was a drawn out as both teams fouled and sent the opposition to the free throw line, hoping to gain an advantage from missed shots. Hawthorn though, held on to record a memorable win and gain some revenge on Sherbrooke, who accounted for them in last year’s finals.
For Sherbrooke, David Wilson with 30 points, 4 rebounds was solid throughout, Anthony Dimech was inspirational with 22 pts, 10 rebounds, 8 assists and 6 steals and John Greig continued his good form with 16 pts, 7 rebounds and 5 assists.
The Division 2 women enter the finals series in second place despite having dropped their last three games. Over the weekend, Sherbrooke lost to Keilor Thunder 57-83 and again went down 59-62 on Sunday in a nail-biter against Whittlesea Pacers.
Coach Rob Baldwin was disappointed with the team’s effort on Saturday night as the Suns allowed Keilor to outscore them in each quarter and struggled to shut down Keilor’s transition game.
For the Suns, Tara Blair with 12 points, 7 rebounds and 5 steals and Sharlene Fraser with 11 pts and 6 rebounds both battled hard.
Sunday’s game was a tight affair from the opening minutes as both teams struggled to exert control. The lead changed hands several times and neither team was able to establish a decisive break. The result came down to a frantic last 90 seconds, when it was the Pacers who were quicker up the floor and steadier from the free throw line.
For Sherbrooke it was Tara Blair again with 20 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals, who led the way for the Suns and was supported by Robyn Ladd with 11 pts, 8 rebounds in her comeback weekend from a serious hand injury and Sharlene Fraser with 8 pts and 14 rebounds.
This coming Saturday the women take on top table Latrobe City Energy away at Latrobe in the qualifying final.
Sherbrooke’s Youth League 2 men ended the season on a bright note with a 124-114 win over the Whittlesea Pacers.
For the Suns, John Dunlop with 25 points (7 of 10 three pointers), David Black with 20 pts and James Topp with 15 pts and 6 rebounds were the main contributors on the scoreboard. Peter Lankester recorded a double/double with 14 pts, 10 rebounds.