Wow! Just wow!

There are some sporting contests that if you saw them live, you’ll remember forever. Saturday night’s Preliminary Final between the Champions IGA Bendigo Braves Women and Mount Gambier Pioneers at Red Energy Arena was one of those games.

It was one of those games either side could have won, and it would have been deserved.
It was one of those games that looked likely to swing on one play, one mistake, or one referee’s call.

It was one of those games where every basket or turnover was welcomed with an almighty roar.

It was one of those games that every player involved, whether they stepped on court or not, came away a tougher and better basketballer. And, more importantly for Mark Alabakov and his team, it was a game that put the Braves through
to the NBL1 South Grand Final. It didn’t start out that well for Bendigo.

The first five or so minutes belonged to the visitors, with Bendigo down 9-18 at one stage in the opening term, before fighting back to 24-all at quarter time. League MVP favourite Meg McKay was being double teamed for the second week in a row, with only four points to her name at the first break. However, just two minutes into the second quarter McKay had 10 as Bendigo’s transition game stepped up.

The Braves’ 13-4 start to the quarter had the huge local crowd expecting yet another win from their 2023 all-conquering heroes. Atwell was huge in the first half, scoring 10 in the second quarter to go in at the long break with 17. Bendigo was up 54-41 at half time and dominating the stats, with 32 points in the paint, 10-0 second-chance points, and a shooting percentage of 50 from beyond the arc.

Mount Gambier came out of the change rooms on fire, halving the deficit in the first 3.5 minutes of the third quarter. Bendigo’s shooting percentage dropped, and at three-quarter time their lead was down to two – 68 - 66.

What followed was one of the best quarters of basketball you will ever see. Bendigo was prepared to let the Pioneers take jump shots at the free-throw line to prevent kick-outs to the away team’s impressive long-range shooters. At the other end, Kelly Wilson was doing the same, and Cass McLean was driving aggressively with
the hope of attracting a Pioneer big looking for a rejection, leaving McKay open for rebounds and put-backs.

Then there was Atwell. The star guard had a reputation at college for performing in high-pressure situations, taking shots no one else would. That reputation gave her a WNBA contract, and it also gave the Braves one minute of basketball that will be spoken about for a long, long time.

With 2.05m left on the clock, Pioneers gun Haliegh Reinoehl made a three to extend her team’s lead to four. A fast transition resulted in a Bendigo ball from under the key. The in-bound pass from Wilson found Atwell in the far corner who, off balance, with a defensive hand in her face, and almost no room to move, found the bottom of the net for a three.

McLean created a turnover with ball pressure on the next play and Atwell hit another three with 1.37m left, through a crowded screen and over the long arms of star Centre Zitina Aokuso.

The crowd went berserk as Bendigo was up by two, with all the momentum. A Mount Gambier timeout didn’t slow things up. As Isabella Brancatisano drove to the ring for the Pioneers, a McKay swat saw the ball roll off the guard’s knee and out of bounds. Turnover to Bendigo.

A McLean step-back two on the next play, with three seconds left on the shot clock, was followed by a scream that almost drowned out the deafening crowd. Bendigo’s lead was four with 1.04m left. But the game wasn’t over. There was one more twist. 10 seconds later a Pioneers’ and-one from Sherrie Calleia, and two free throws from Meila Goodchild, saw the visitors up by one with 28 seconds left.

Then it was time for Madame Bendigo herself to seal the game and add yet another highlight to her stellar career. Wilson deftly moved around a McKay screen, making a trademark jumper from the free-throw line. 17.5 seconds left, Bendigo up by one.

One point down and with the last shot, the smart play for Mount Gambier was to drive and dish. Atwell attempted to knock the ball out 7 of the hands of the first driver, but missed. A dish to Goodchild and another drive, followed by another steal attempt from Atwell.

This time it was successful, and the ball fell to McKay, Bendigo winning 97-96. It was one of the loudest noises heard at Red Energy Arena since Suzi Quatro hung up her leather jacket.

Atwell finished with 33 points on 50 per cent shooting. McKay put in another astonishing performance, with 20 points and 20 rebounds, including 11 offensive. Wilson played one of her best offensive games of the year with 18 points, and McLean’s 16 included key shots throughout the game.

Photo - Craig Dilks Photography