Raptors took an inexperienced team to play Southlands last night.

Raptors got off to a flying start, quickly opening up a 9 point lead in the first 7 minutes, though this was reduced to a lead of 5 by the end of the quarter. Dominic, Kiel and Matt, all of whom qualify to play at u14 level shared the points between them.

The game settled down with baskets traded at both ends. Sam and Nick got onto the score sheet and we reached half time still 3 points to the good at 34 – 31.

In the third, our small bench started to tell as players became tired. Callum, making his debut for the club, was growing in confidence and he too got onto the score sheet meaning that every player had now scored. Southlands continued to chip away at the lead and by the end of the quarter had now taken the lead by 1 point.

Our players were now very tired and with Sam and Nick both on 4 fouls we started to struggle against Southland’s penetrating drives. Sam took a charge, we held our breath,  and with the call going our way one of Southland’s main threats fouled out with 6 minute remaining. By this time Southlands had extended their lead to 5 points. Coach called a timeout to allow his players to rest and regroup. We then went on a run of 5 points without reply to tie the game up with three remaining. With both teams tired baskets were missed at both ends and overtime was looming until Southlands scored with 20 seconds remaining. Coach called his second timeout and asked the players for one last effort. We attacked the basket, Nick drove into a gap, was fouled……and missed. He now had two shots to tie the game with 6.1 seconds left on the clock.

 He missed the first. Coach called his final timeout which heaped even more pressure on Nick. He stepped back up to the line and swished the second, 1 point down with 6.1 seconds to play. The players pressed and forced a turnover, Nick stripped the ball, drove to basket, and the ball dropped through the hoop with 0.3 seconds showing on the clock. Cue jubilation from the players, coach and watching parents. 54-53 to Raptors

A fantastic game played in a great spirit.

All the players deserve praise but Matt, the smallest player on our team, was the go to guy all night, finishing with 18 points in the game plus boards at both ends. He even made a baseline move finished with a baby hook shot over the centre!!

Photo: Matty Fry in a school tournament earlier this year