By BACT Media Unit – 20 September 2022

Belconnen Basketball Stadium was packed to the rafters on Saturday – 17 September – and Sunday – 18 September – for the 2022 Premier League and Junior Premier League Grand Finals.

The weekend’s Grand Final action started with Premier League Grand Finals on Saturday 18 December, with Premier 2 Grand Finals in the early afternoon, followed by Premier 1 deciders in the evening.

PREMIER 2 WOMEN – GRAND FINAL

WCW Dodgers (1st) v Tuggeranong Vikings (2nd)

In the first Grand Final of the Day, the Premier 2 Women’s decider saw the 1st and 2nd placed teams go head-to-head. Going into the game, Dodgers held the advantage over Vikings, having defeated them twice during the regular season (R7 – 69-37 and R16 – 61-37) and earning their place in the grand Final with a 51-50 victory in Round 1 of the Finals. Vikings were able to re-group in the Preliminary Finals with a win over Canberra City Stallions (54-38) to earn their third visit in recent times to the Grand Final.

The Vikings started the stronger, and would maintain a healthy lead at every break, through strong rebounding and tough defence. Despite Dodgers harnessing several surges through out the game, they just couldn’t get close enough to threaten the Vikings, who finished the game with a 16 point win – 66-50 – to claim the 2022 Championship.

Tuggeranong Vikings def WCW Dodgers – 66-50

Leading Scorers: Vikings – Caitlin Preston (18 pts), Tegan Ketels (17 pts); Dodgers – Karen Hill (17 pts), Penny Toledo-Ocampo (10 pts).

Grand Final MVP – Caitlin Preston (Vikings)

PREMIER 2 MEN – GRAND FINAL

Tuggeranong Vikings (1st) v Norths (2nd)

Next up on Court 1 at Belconnen Basketball Stadium, was the Premier 2 Men’s decider between the 1st placed Tuggeranong Vikings and Norths, who secured 2nd place on the ladder in 2022. The two grand Finalists split their regular season games (Rd 4 Norths won 76-66 and Round 13 Vikings won 87-79) before Vikings forced their way into the Grand Final with a 77-68 victory over Norths in Round 1 of the Finals. Norths proved too strong for Wests in the Preliminary Final (76-57) to earn a chance in the big one.

A see-sawing game ensued, with Norths heading into the first break ahead by 5 points, before a 2nd quarter comeback saw Vikings lock it up at 38-all at the half. Vikings continued their strong form to hold a 3 point lead into the final break, however with a few key players in foul trouble, Norths were able to take advantage through some strong defence and sharp-shooting from beyond the arc to prevail 88-84, and claim the 2022 title.

Norths def Tuggeranong Vikings – 88-84

Leading Scorers: Norths – Ryan Armstrong (24 pts), Che Peters (23 pts); Vikings – Dylan Giles (19 pts), Jordan Sembel (16 pts).

Grand Final MVP – Che Peters (Norths)

PREMIER 1 WOMEN – GRAND FINAL

WCW Dodgers (1st) v Ginninderra Rats (2nd)

The Premier 1 Women’s Grand Final saw long-term rivals, WCW Dodgers and Ginninderra Rats go at it again in the season decider, in what are always intense games. With Dodgers holding a slight edge in their head-to-head match-ups in 2022 (4-2 including a 73-67 win in Round 1 of the Finals), the minor premiers enjoyed a week off leading into the Grand Final, while Rats had to work hard to edge out ANU Owls in the Preliminary Final and advance.

The additional game proved to be just what Rats needed, as they were able to use their momentum and experience in the Prelim, to build an early lead in the first quarter, which grew to 10 points at the half time break. Despite a strong inside game from Kris Langhorn and Hannah Briskey, Dodgers weren’t able to get into their offensive groove all game, and Rats were able to maintain their lead through quick substitutions, and a strong outside game from Kelsy Maher. Rats survived a late 4th quarter run, to emerge Champions – 64-56.

Ginninderra Rats def WCW Dodgers – 64-56

Leading Scorers: Rats – Kelsy Maher (17 pts), Jayelin Janssen (12 pts); Dodgers – Kris Langhorn (16 pts), Hannah Briskey (13 pts).

Grand Final MVP – Jayelin Janssen (Rats)

PREMIER 1 WOMEN – GRAND FINAL

Tuggeranong Vikings (1st) v WCW Dodgers (2nd)

The Premier 1 Men’s Grand Final saw another 1st vs 2nd clash, with Tuggeranong vikings up against WCW Dodgers. Vikings, with a star-studded line-up, navigated their way through to the Grand Final undefeated, and held a clean sweep of games against the Dodgers (Rd5 – 107-70; Rd14 – 103-66 and Rd 1 Finals 114-87). Dodgers were able to see off Norths in the Prelim Final, to earn a chance of toppling the 2022 minor premiers (and defending champions) in the “big dance”.

A hectic and fast paced first quarter saw Vikings take a 8 point lead into the first break, before a dominate 2nd quarter set them up with an unassailable lead at half-time – 56-29. Dodgers put on a third quarter rally, but Vikings had all the scoring answers with 6 players racking up double-figures, running out 111-69 victors.

Tuggeranong Vikings def WCW Dodgers – 111-69

Leading Scorers: Vikings – Will Mayfield (17 pts), Glenn Morison (14 pts); Dodgers – Mitch McGee (26 pts), Henry Wallace (9 pts).

Grand Final MVP – James Toohey (Vikings)