“That was way more intense than last year — they played unbelievably well for a team with only two subs,” said City Lights captain and the league’s most valuable player (MVP) for the second year running, Scott Muncaster.
“Their man Jordan Patrick hit four three-point shots in a row in the third period — that set us back — then our defence picked up in the fourth quarter and it was easier to score because the foul count meant they couldn’t contest shots.”
Between them, Namana (20pts) and Patrick (16pts) sank 11 three-pointers and teammate Gary Harding — who fouled out down the home stretch — also hit a “trey” before halftime.
But Old School could not match City Lights’ productivity. Muncaster (22pts), Luka Kablar (20pts), Ryan Walters (16pts) and Zade Donner (12pts) gave their crew four scorers in double-figures.
Record seasonCity Lights finished the season with a record of 11 wins from 12 games, having won 11 of 11 in 2016. They have been the standard bearers for men’s club basketball during the past two years.
While Kablar, a doctor, will shortly leave Gisborne for Auckland, City Lights have fostered the emergence of players such as Donner, who ran the length of the YMCA to greater effect than anyone else in all 10 clubs.
Playing in his first grand final, Donner brought the energy and enthusiasm that is a hallmark of his play.
Muncaster opened the scoring, Namana responded with a three-pointer for 3-2 in the seventh minute and Kablar scored three field goals.
But the unfortunate story of the first period was that both teams committed numerous turnovers in passing to players who weren’t expecting the ball.
In the second quarter, Harding, Patrick and Namana struck gold from the perimeter to keep City Lights within range (4pts) heading into the break.
The third period began with City Lights’ Carl Riini driving down the right sideline, cutting to the hoop and then hooking an assist back to Kablar on the baseline for 31-25. Moments later, Dom Wilson drove to the hoop and got the ball back to Kablar, who made an identical shot for 33-25.
Old School trailed until 18-year-old Kered Grant, Year 13 at Gisborne Boys’ High School, scored to put them ahead 43-41 with two and a half minutes remaining in the third quarter.
Grant’s and Donner’s efforts for their teams were never more apparent than now, and never would the veterans in both teams — such as City Lights’ Francis Reid — have appreciated them more.
Old School powerhouse Thomas Tindale scored seven points. With Tindale’s fellow big men Rongomai Smith, Harley Phillips and Rikki Kernohan absent, City Lights’ tenacious, physical post defence against Tindale was undoubtedly a major factor in the result.
Tindale is a good clean player and very strong. Muncaster would attest to the fact that any defensive player who steps into his space may be brushed aside without fuss.
In the fourth quarter, the captains traded long jump shots but it was Walters, with three consecutive three-pointers, who upped the ante.
City Lights’ intensity level went up two notches and Harding fouled out on a superb play by Kablar. Wide on the left baseline, Kablar hooked a left-handed pass around Harding beneath the rim. In an effort to recover against Donner on the backdoor play, the veteran bowed out.
Namana said that Jordan Patrick and TK Moeke played well for Old School.
“But we missed free throws,” he said.
“City Lights got offensive rebounds, made shots and took the ball to the hole.
“We enjoyed the league week by week. It’s strong competition at the top — and there was a good crowd tonight for both teams.
“We’d like to thank our Uawa fans for coming in numbers and making the trip.”
The three-man officiating crew of Dwayne Tamatea, Shay Waikawa and Jason Tuapawa gave good service. Waikawa and Tuapawa backed up from the women’s final.
