Donvale Primary School

McDonalds Hooptime Senior Future Stars State Championship Finals

In sticky conditions at Dandenong Stadium on Friday 30^th November the top 32 Grade 5/6 (Senior) Future Stars teams took to the court to stake a claim for glory as State Champions. By no means was the temperature in the stadium as gruelling as the day before when the mercury peaked outside at 38c and around 36c inside. But the stadium was still feeling the effects of the short heat wave and it was very humid conditions despite the cooler temperatures.

But as we did 24 hours earlier we pushed through and the day got underway. There was some good competition and plenty of close clashes throughout the pool games as teams started jostling for positions to try and make the top 3 to make finals and keep their dream alive.

The Senior FS was the only division with a defending champion remaining from 2011 and Westgrove PS were coming into the day ranked solidly again after an impressive Regional Finals day. They were earmarked early as the team to beat, along with a number of other teams who were clearly strong and looking for that top spot to earn the break from the first round of Finals.

As the day progressed we came to the Quarter Finals and our top 8 teams for the day. The only real upset coming from Donvale PS who managed to hold out the defending Champions Westgrove PS by one point to knock them out of the tournament and to open up the opportunity of a new champion for 2012.

So the top 4 teams were now decided and all were just one win away from a State Championship Final and a shot at ultimate glory.

The 1^st Semi Final was Donvale Devils v St Simon’s Spiders. After Donvale got the points against Westgrove, some would say they were slight favourites going into this clash. The question was could they back up that impressive performance with another one? St Simon’s would be no pushovers as they too had a good day finishing on top of their pool and playing some good basketball. But Donvale came out the better of the 2 sides early on in the 1^st half and put St Simon’s right on the back foot with some solid defense and productive offence. The Devils continuing their good run of form to take a healthy 10-4 lead into halftime. St Simon’s really needed the first score of the 2^nd half to get back on track and get within 2 baskets, but unfortunately it was Donvale who extended their lead to make it an 8 point game with 6 minutes left on the clock.

It was all to do for St Simon’s, but they kept chipping away, scoring back to back baskets mid-way through the half to draw back within 4 points. But that was as close as they could get. Donvale consolidating their advantage and despite drawing the half 4-4, they did enough to take the win and move into the Final with a 6 point win.

Senior FS State Championship Final – Donvale Devils v St Clément’s Cannons

Well if both these teams Semi Finals to go by we were certainly in for a classic encounter. No one could say both teams didn’t deserve to be there and it was a game that included similar styles of catch and shoot style basketball. Both teams had taller players, but also relied on their smaller players to get in an under the key to score.

Donvale settled their nerves 1^st by drawing first blood and jumping out to a 2-point lead. St Clément’s got their 1^st point moments later with a free throw and it was game on from there. Neither team dominating and both teams with plenty of opportunities. As it had been all day, a low scoring affair meant that it was going to be close for the remainder of the game. Donvale turning the tables on their opponents late in the first half to ‘steal’ the lead going into half time leading 6-5 with 8 precious minutes to play.

St Clement’s came out in the 2^nd half full of running and determination and took back the lead with the first basket of the half. 2 minutes later and after holding them off for so long, Donvale took back the lead with their 1^st score for the half. The crowd was starting to get load as both teams pressed and pushed toward the finish line. Then we made it to the final minute and Donvale still held their small advantage. St Clément’s with possession made the most of their opportunity up the floor, getting the offensive rebound and the put back with 45 second remaining to take the lead again. There was still time for both sides one would think, but on the very next possession with around 9 seconds left on the clock the Devils threw up a shot which found the bottom of the net and re-took the lead in amazing fashion. Still with 9 seconds left there was one last opportunity for the Cannons to ‘steal’ the State title, but with an out of bounds throw and a tussle in mid court their time had run out and the celebrations from the Donvale faithful began with them jumping and screaming and running onto the court to celebrate with the players. That is what it is all about, to see the reactions and how much it means to the schools that get to this stage each year.

It was a fantastic game and a worthy State Championship Final.

It is Donvale PS 1^st ever Hoop Time State Title.

Semi Final 1

Donvale Devils d St Simon’s Spiders (14-8)

Semi Final 2

St Clément’s Cannons d Port Melbourne Power (18-15)

State Championship Final

Donvale Devils d St Clément’s Cannons (10-9)

The team involved were:

Jess S.

Ben S.

Will C.

Bec S.

Elias S.

Darcy S.

Stephanie W.

Jesse D.

Brittany Mc.

Dejan K.

Coaches:

Lachlan H.

Jamie-Lee A.

Training Squad:

Harry C.

Georgia L.

Ingrid B.

Hrishi T.

Chloe V.

Billy Mc.

Christian L.

James D.

Jai N.