Basketball: Saints favoured for club title

Andrew Parke
Andrew Parke
The St Kilda Saints will chase a men's double in the finals of Dunedin club basketball at the Edgar Centre today.

Defending champion St Kilda will start as the warm favourite against the Magic in the first division final at 3.30pm, a rematch of last year's final.

The club's second division side, the Bullets, will get the first crack at a title when it plays the City Rise Bombers in a 12.30pm final.

Men's third division (Andy Bay Falcons 3 v Magic Logan Park) and women's first (Ajax v Magic) and second (Coasters v Ajax Gold) division finals will also be played.

The St Kilda Saints qualified automatically for the premier final with a 95-77 thumping of the Bombers in the major semifinal.

The Saints, perennial finalists, have a strong starting five featuring former Otago Nuggets centre Andrew Parke, well-performed forward Matt Gillan, exciting point guard James Ross, Cain Falconer and Kyle Cameron.

St Kilda has two players unavailable - captain Dean Ruske and North Otago Penguins guard Ian Cathcart - but has reasonable depth.

The Magic's preparation for the finals was disrupted when it was deducted points for fielding an ineligible player.

But, after beating the Bombers midweek, it will take some confidence into the final.

The Magic's key players are Sam To'omata and Jordan Small.

The side is well coached by Alf Arlidge and plays a team-first style of basketball built on aggressive defence.

 

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