MC Micky E's State Champ rap

Set this to a beat basketball fans

The dust is settled and the game is done

Runners up were Gosford but it was the Hornets that won

We’re still on a high and sharing the story

Thinking back to a thriller and reliving the glory

Mitch is still pumped and talks of the game

Mum and Dad are doing much of the same

Sunday’s Grand Final was special and this one a cracker

But things on Saturday were considerably blacker

Wollongong gave us the highs and the lows

Reaching for the crown while taking the blows

A rollercoaster ride with emotions a mess

The players and coaches stayed focused and plotted success

Beaton Park was the venue and looked its age

The Snake Pit more aptly should be called the Bird Cage

A roof and a scoreboard in need of repair

But when the game started nobody would care

Gosford pressed early and had us struggling to score

Defence was holding but offense was poor

Halftime was looming as we picked up our game

But the lead was still in Gosford’s name

The back half commenced and Gosford continued to fight

But the Hornets were determined to make it their night

Moose’s boy Ollie was a thorn in our side

But we handled him well and stopped him in stride

The lead gave way to a Hornets revival

As Gosford held on and played for survival

The final bell tolled and Hornets leapt to rejoice

Players, coaches and supporters in voice

State Champions they are as our coach proclaimed

All ten deserving their medals while MVP Brane was named

Runners up Gosford were duly given a rap

But it’s been two years in making and setting the trap

SJC and State Champs two titles of renown

But Nationals would be the jewel in the crown

With confidence high and stress levels returning to low

We’re soon off to Canberra to make it three in a row

On and off court things have been a bit tough

For parents and coaches to get out of the rough

Things are now placed to give one hell of a shake

To a championship that Victorians think is theirs for the take

Our boys are the stars and we witness with pride

Their effort and joy in being part of a truly great side

The coaches and managers in no small way

Are equally to thank for giving their day

Lets ban together and chase the nationals dream

Support each other for the sake of the team

We’ve come such a distance over many a year

I’m sure when it’s done there will be a tear

It’s time to finish this poem and ditty

I’m feeling stuffed and the wife’s getting shitty

See you around and let’s talk at the bar

About being winners that I know we all are.

The lead up games to the State Finals - 2010

State Championships

Weekend one

Saturday, August 21

Our first game in round one was against the team that has taken it to us all year, Gosford. Both teams started nervously missing some early shots against some tough defence before Gosford scored on a drive and then a three-point play.

Tight defence stopped Gosford from getting away and we finished the first quarter behind 8-6. Gosford continued putting on the defensive pressure and for the first time in the whole season we failed to score a single point in a quarter but Gosford only score one. The arm wrestle continued with Hills taking the lead in the third quarter 16-14 but unfortunately we couldn't maintain the momentum, dropping the game 28-24. Had we nailed a few free-throws or a couple of decisions had gone or way the result could easily have been reversed.

We had a 7pm start against Coffs Harbour but it didn't slow the boys at all. This was one way traffic from the jump ball and we came away with a comfortable 96-12 win.

Sunday, August 22

We took advantage of our size early to make sure we didn't repeat Saturday's bad start. We jumped out early to an early 21-11 lead and kept it rolling right through the game winning 86-41.

All we had to do was to win the final game of the weekend to qualify for the next round at Illawarra.

Once again we were up against a Sydney team that we already knew, this time the Comets. The boys executed their offence crisply and maintained harrassing defence that had the Comets struggling. This was another clinical win, finishing with a score of 71-12 and the opportunity to move into the NSW State Finals where we were scheduled to meet the Sharks, Illawarra and yet again Gosford.

Weekend two

Saturday September 4

After the run of easy wins against everyone but Gosford the boys came into this first game against the Sharks with perhaps too much confidence. We should have known better after a fired up Sutherland gave us a cracker run in the regular season which we won after quite a tussle 58-43.

With the State Championships they came out firing and made us work hard with some great defence. In the first quarter we were up 8-4, then Sutherland closed it at the end of the second quarter to 16-13. Only in the third quarter did we start to feel a shift in the game, breaking away with some good use of multiple big men on the boards to be up 33-26 and then sealing it as we got away to a 46-35 victory.

If we thought that was tough, our second game of the first day was our old foes Gosford. This was a fascinating see-sawing competition. We started poorly and seemed to be working to Gosford's strengths until the third quarter.

Where the boys had focused on taking on their opposite number they suddenly started to look ahead, passing the ball up the court and casing break-downs in Gosford's defence. Where we had trailed we started to come back an in literally the last second of the game we were up 40-39.

A time-out from Gosford advanced the ball up the court and in a remarkable play, Gosford scored right on the buzzer winning 41-40.

It could have broken out hearts but instead it put more fire into the boys belly and also through their play in the third and fourth quarter they recognised how it was more important to look for each other for an early pass rather than taking on their opposite number. It would prove crucial in later matches.

Sunday, September 5

Today the boys had to play the two most important games of the season so far.

Whoever won the first game of the morning, Hills or Illawarra, was automatically in the grand final.

We started off immediately with a handicap. A broken shot-clock in the previous game meant that we started our game much later, so whoever won would be playing with far less rest than Gosford.

The Hornets leapt away to a great start this time around, scorching Illawarra on the inside in the first quarter 20-11. The second and third quarter were more of the same with the boys up 54-32.

At this point the coaches decided to rest the players they wanted to start against Gosford and the team began to relax. We should have known that Illawarra were not going to lie down with a shot at the State title on the line.

All of a sudden they were roaring back after some turnovers on part which they were quick to capitalise on. Suddenly the coaches looked a little concerned but we held on against the fast finishing Illawarra team to win 63-56 and line up for another game against Gosford.

You can read about that – in verse – above.  

SJC Grand Final 2010 - the first goal

SJC Grand Final 2010
Hills Hornets v Sutherland Sharks 
This was the fourth time we met Sutherland and to this point it was the most important – the Sydney Junior Championship grand final.

Both sides started a little roughly, missing some easy shots under the basket until Aaron played tough and forced up a shot in close against the Sharks big man. A passage of broken play gave us a second goal off a streaking Jay.

At the other end our defence tightened, with Addam poking the ball away from the Sharks big and all the boys swarming him when ever he got the ball close. The rule was to give no easy baskets which meant Sutherland's first point came from the free-throw line.

At the offensive end we crashed the boards and, with Addam, Arran and Will inside there were numerous mismatches to exploit. Wills tenacious rebounds gave him a great look and the lead blew out to 6-1.

It took a drive from Banksie with a mid range stop-and-pop to loop in the first field goal for the Sharks.

When Mark and Brane came on for Addam and Will our height advantage continued. With Mitch and Mark at the top of a trap defence the pressure was really on the Sharks just to bring the ball up. A couple of steals later and Brane was able to take a wide open shot from the free-throw line – nothing but net. He repeated the dose less than 30 seconds later.

Sutherland got back into the game with a deep two under pressure. But again the Hornets replies this time through Arran who sunk both from the free-throw line.

At the end of the first quarter we were up 12-5 and in control.

We started the second with some tight scrappy defence, epitomised by Thomas in a scramble on the ground for a loose ball, flicked out to Luke who made a long pass up court to a waiting Brane who unfortunately had one of his few misses in the game. Luke was in the game quickly again with a great block on a driving Shark.

The Sharks came at us again with drive along the baseline and a short pass to the big man for an easy lay-up. It was one of the few bright moments for the Sharks over the next two quarters.

A fast break from Mark was followed by a three-pointer from Brane, a beautiful reverse lay-up between two men by Jayden, another fast-break drive for Mark and then a great pass from Mitch right under the basket to a waiting Will.

It was one traffic from then on with the boys up 27-11 at the end of the second quarter and then, remarkably, 44-12 at the end of the third quarter when we the Sharks to just one point.

In the final quarter the Hornets eased off the pedal and finished with a 63-23 victory against a tough fighting Sutherland team who unfortunately suffered height mismatches at key positions.

SJC 2010 semi-final v Sharks at Manly

It took three tries to get this game started but once the jump ball was decided and Addam knocked the ball to Mitch the game was on. Just like us, Sutherland had players at the three-day TAP program and had to play a trial game the day before, so we all started on a level (but slightly exhausted) playing field.

Arran scored immediately on a drive but Sutherland came back with a couple of quick goals. However, our dominance on the boards was apparent early.

Early on Will, Addam and Arran put a lot of pressure on the inside capped by a great pass down low to Will for a shot under pressure when Sutherland's big man came out.

As the first quarter it became clear that the Sharks were struggling to penetrate and we were starting to vary our scoring options, with Brane dropping a three pointer and Mitch picking up a mid-range two.

We finished the first quarter up 12-8 but it was becoming clear that we had started to get Sutherland's measure.

In the second quarter Luke led the charge early, knocking down a three pointer and then following that up with a mid range two after curling off a cut.

Jayden then joined in with another three pointer and suddenly we had leapt to a 20-8 lead.

Mark and Jay were outstanding, picking off passes and setting up some fast breaks that helped us to continue to stretch the lead while Thomas was ripping balls out of the oppositions hands and crashed the offensive boards. He topped the offensive rebounds count along with Brane with five apiece.

The boys just continued to pour on the pressure and came away with a 68-29 win.

At the same time that we were playing, Norths and Comets went head-to-head in the elimination quarter-final. The Comets picked up the win which meant they had to play the Sharks as part of an elimination semi-final. Reports are that it was a tight match won by Sutherland setting us up for a grand final match-up at Penrith.

National trials v Gosford

National Trials

Loss 50-42

This was the most important game of the season, so far, for the boys national campaign. The winner of this trial would get the easiest run through the nationals, topping one of the groups which meant they would not having to face up to a strong Melbourne teams in the first round.

Sadly, this could not have been a worst timed game for Hills.

It came the day after a three-day metro camp - where eight of our boys were pushed to their limits by NSW Basketball coaches - and the day before our SJC semi-finals.

The timing meant that there was no team training in the week leading up to two crucial games and the boys travelled to Gosford tired and sore.

It showed from almost the first whistle.

Gosford leapt out of the blocks playing some great in-the-face defence that late in the first quarter threw the boys off their game. Fortunately on the defensive end we kept it together and we needed to with Gosford taking 13 shots to our five.

As usual, Gosford player Oli – a small forward with impressive skills – was important for the Rebels, often carrying his team with his scoring and creating holes with his ability to attract defence. He has remarkable timing – the moment any of our defenders sagged he made a drive either scoring or getting to the free-throw line.

At the end of the first quarter we were down 9-6.

In the second quarter, we started to penetrate the key, made a couple of fast breaks and looked for our bigs were fed the ball down low. In fact when our bigs did get the ball in the post, the additional size of our boys made them almost unstoppable and gave us rebound opportunities that were lacking in the first quarter.

We also stood tall inside and forced Gosford to change shots giving us a 19-16 lead.

This continued in the third quarter and we feeling confident with a six point lead at 33-27.

However, by the time we reached the fourth it was very obvious to the mums and dads on the sidelines that the boys were running on the smell of an oily rag. The boys who played in the last quarter clearly struggled and in the final four minutes they made some fundamental errors that gave Gosford some easy points.

Gosford came away with a deserved 50-42 win although the boys are hungry to take them on again in the state finals.

The coaches asked the boys to make sure they got a decent nights sleep to take on the Sutherland Sharks in the semi-finals the next day.

Hornets plunder bearly there defence

We finished the regular season undefeated after overpowering a Norths Bears team that regularly left gaping holes in its defence 82-24.

The game was a contrast in execution that reflected well on the boys, their training and our coaches. 

Hills sharp offensive sets saw the great majority of shots taken in the key and right under the basket after bullet passes or scything drives. The only exceptions to this were a couple of three point shots from Jay and a nice mid-range two from Will. Even the point guards were able to get right in under the basket.

Norths sagging defence left passing lanes wide open and even when they anticipated a play, they were a step late as the Hornets finished. On the offensive end the Bears resorted to deep shots as the game wore on and on the few occasions that they started a fast two- or three-on-one break they often broke down under pressure from a single man.

Will took full advantage, playing strong down low and had an outstanding game that saw him pick up a double-double to lead all scorers with 25 points and 11 rebounds. He is turning into our team's Mr Consistent.

While Will dominated, everyone contributed. A highlight was Luke's full length of the field pass which found a waiting big man right under the basket for an easy lay-up but the good news continued right through the line-up. 

Jay found his three-point range and has been dishing more assists with every game. 

Mark posted really well under the basket and along with Mitch deflected and stole the ball repeatedly from a frustrated Bears team.

Jayden had a couple of cracking drives to the basket, as did Arran who continues to match the guards on steals and assists. 

Thomas is becoming a key part of the Hornets defensive wall. Nobody can defend as closely as Thomas and still stay in front of his man. He had a couple of really strong drives, rebounds and plays down low. 

Finally Big Ads was dominant on the boards with 10 of his 13 rebounds on the offensive end and 10 points to post the teams only other double-double.

It's a big week ahead with most of the team attending the talented athletes program - except for the Rookie who is too young but definitely talented enough - and then it is off to Gosford (we think at this stage) to determine our position at the Nationals in October.

After that, those semi-finals at Manly.

Achievements
Will: 25 points (personal best). Efficiency 27 (equal personal best)
Arran: 8 defensive rebounds (personal best)
Mitch: 2 blocks (personal best)
Addam: 10 offensive rebounds, 13 total rebounds (personal best). Blocks 2 (equal personal best).

Victorian visitors help Hills heat up

On Monday, July 12, the boys hosted Sandringham, a Victorian team on a NSW tour that has already been selected for this year's national finals.

Sandringham had been undefeated in their NSW tour up to this game.

However, despite only fielding nine players, with athletic big man Arran Bannatyne out, the Hornets controlled the game from the tip-off winning every quarter and finishing with a 63-24 victory.

Jayden started off with two great defensive plays, poking the ball away during the first play and then taking a charge on a Sandringham fast break. Mitch, Luke and Thomas added to Sandringham's frustration stealing the ball off the dribble which repeatedly set up fast break opportunities. Inside Brane was changing shots and getting some good deflections.

On the other end, Will (10 rebounds) and Addam (8 rebounds) were huge on the offensive boards and correspondingly picked up plenty of points in close. Addam shot an impressive 100 per cent from the field sinking 8 of 8.  They were also on the receiving end of some great passes from Jay which added further to their points total.

At times Sandringham grew frustrated, as the scoring dried up troubled by our guards at the top of the key or coming up against a wall of big men inside.

This was a game where the entire Hornets team contributed, covering each other and communicating on defensive and offensive sets.

It was a good warm-up before the last game of the regular season against North Sydney this coming Sunday, to be followed by semi-finals of the Sydney Junior Championships.