The Castlemaine Cannons have created history, claiming their first-ever Country Basketball League grand final victory against the Bendigo Braves at Bendigo’s Red Energy Arena on Saturday night.
The Cannons had a fantastic start to the short sharp season winning seven matches in a row, which placed them on the top of the table, but then suffered three narrow losses.
However, the Cannons bounced back winning their all-important semi-final bout against the third-placed Bacchus Marsh Lions at Moorabool Aquatic and Recreation Centre 99-73 to seal their spot in the big one.
The first quarter of Saturday’s final saw the sides evenly matched with the Braves leading by one point at the first change 13-12.
The close clash continued in the second with both sides netting 13 apiece.
Castlemaine lifted in the third period smashing on another 20 points to the Braves’ 17 to inch into the lead.
The Castlemaine side held their resolve in the final stanza netting an impressive 22 to the Braves 12 to run out winners by 12 points, 67-55, and claim the North West title honours for the very first time.
Josiah Pattinson led the way for the Cannons with 16 points and Connor Mayman chipped in 11.
The evening also saw the Kyneton Tigers Women take on the Bendigo Braves Women in the North West Women’s CBL grand final.
The Tigers threw everything they had at the Braves but the home side proved too strong in the end winning 110-55. Top scorer for Kyneton was Michelle Fletcher with 12 points.
