Raiders through to grand finals

THE Knox Ford Raiders Big V Youth League Women have made it through to the grand final series for the third straight season after defeating the Dandenong Rangers 80-59 on Sunday afternoon.
They’ll take on the Nunawading Spectres in a best of three series.
The Raiders came out of the blocks fired up and determined to make it back to the grand final series, but it was Dandenong who matched their intensity and led by two points at the first quarter break.
However, the Raiders played one of their best quarters of the season in the second, locking down the Rangers on defence and moving the ball well on offence leading to some easy baskets.
By half time, the Raiders had a 10-point led thanks to the stellar second term, which saw them outscore the Rangers 24-12.
Knox’s most experienced player Tammy Goyne was simply unstoppable and determined not to let the Rangers back into the game in the third quarter.
She was the game’s high scorer with 20 points, in addition to 3 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals. Centre Sally Laing’s 19 points and 10 rebounds also played a pivotal role in the 21 point win with some strong interior play.
Knox Converse Stadium will now play host to game 1 of the best-of-three grand final series this Saturday night at 7.30pm against the Nunawading Spectres.
The Raiders will then travel to Nunawading for game 2 the following Saturday and back it up the next day on Sunday for game 3 (if required).
The weekend also saw the Knox Ford Raiders Big V Youth League men fall to the Melbourne Tigers by 10 points in their preliminary final in Oakleigh.
The guys were outscored 35-19 in the first quarter and never were able to get back into the game. Best for the Raiders was Ben Kewish who finished with 28 points and 8 rebounds.