Erin Pearson
GEELONG Supercats have won South East Australia Basketball League’s 2010 all-conference title.
Overcoming a tall-timbered Bendigo line-up, the Supercats used solid defence to win 95-85.
Forward Nathan Herbert said the Supercats remained on top throughout most of the match.
“We came out and had the game pretty much under control for a large portion of it,” he said.
“Bendigo made a run for it in the end but to the boys credit we stuck together.
“It was one of those great games.”
Herbert said the side had overcome a year of change and disruption to clinch the win.
“We’ve had lots of ups and downs and injuries, a new coach and new system but everyone bought into it,” he said.
“The boys are now celebrating nice and hard.”
Herbert will have little rest after the victory before heading to Adelaide to play in the NBL next week.
Geelong was slow out of the blocks on Saturday night with Bendigo jumping out to an early eight-point lead.
Supercat forwards J’Nathan Bullock and Herbert fought back with three point shots as Geelong went on a 9-0 run to seize the lead.
In a neck-and-neck tussle during the next quarter, the Braves brought the score back within three points at the main break.
A final quarter shootout finished with Supercats captain Braith Cox leading his side to victory with 13 points, three rebounds and five assists.
Bullock had 17 points and six rebounds, while Herbert finished on 17 points and nine.
Isma’il Muhammad won the Hugh McMenemin Medal as Most Valuable Player in the championship game for his match-leading 21 points, six rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block.
The Supercats will announce their MVP and best club man during their annual appreciation night this Friday.