Byron Bay basketball juniors have had a successful run in the North East Junior League (NEJL) competition claiming two championships in the finals held in late July at the Port Macquarie Stadium.
In the U/14 boys’ Division One category, the local side won its major semi-final against Tamworth Thunderbolts 47–45 to win a place in the grand final. Tamworth then won against Newcastle to finally make it through to the grand final, but again fell to the Beez boys 59–41.
Going into the finals both teams were locked on 37 points, after both went through the first 20 preliminary rounds of the competition with 17 wins apiece.
The Beez boys (black) U/18 division one side, also looked good going into the finals with just one loss from 20 games, putting them ahead of nearest rival, the Port Macquarie Dolphins, who had four losses in the regular season.
The Beez did lose their first final 90–85 playing Port Macquarie, but made up for lost ground in the preliminary final where they beat the Central Coast Rebels 113-77.
Back in form the Beez dominated the grand final beating Port Macquarie 103–56.
Girl Beez
The Beez U/18 girls also had a great season winning 12 of their 14 regular season games, coming in second behind Maitland Mustangs who lost just one game.
The Mustangs got the upper hand in the first semi-final beating the Beez 74-66. This left the Beez needing to win the preliminary final to have a crack at the championship, but they feel agonisingly close, losing 64–63 to the Newcastle Falcons.
‘It was very disappointing,’ coach Bret Madden said. ‘We were leading most of the game and have beaten this side by 20 points, but all our best players were fouled out’.
Maitland went on to land the premiership beating Newcastle 79–45.
In a reprieve for the Byron girls, Maitland has pulled out of the state finals and the Beez will be turning up in their place.
‘The team felt they should be at the state finals, so this is great opportunity for them,’ Bret said.
The 2024 State Cup will be played in Orange over the weekend of August 17-18.
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