Sport
16 December, 2024
'An amazing reward for perseverance': Horsham Hornets claim CBL title
The Horsham Hornets won its second championship in four seasons.
CBL
Portland
The Horsham Hornets have exacted revenge on Mount Gambier with an 88-82 win in the CBL south-west men's grand final on Saturday, December 14.
With the scores level at the last break, the Hornets had its most explosive quarter of the game, outscoring the defending premiers 31-25 to secure its second title in just four years.
Head coach Scott Benbow praised the work of his group.
"It's an amazing reward for perseverance and hard work," Benbow said.
"Loosing to them in February, and to be able to finish off the year that way. It's been amazing for Horsham Basketball and for everyone that's involved."
Eventual grand final MVP Austin McKenzie starred for the Hornets with 42 points.
"Even on the way over on the bus, he was really focused, and about five minutes out of Portland, he gave me a look and a wink as if to say 'I've got you'," Benbow said.
"He put the team on his back and did an amazing job, they just could not stop him.
"He distributed the ball well too... to have 42 points and be MVP in a grand final it's unbelievable."
With the game in the balance in the fourth quarter, Benbow alluded to a Cody Bryan block of Kyle Tipine in the fourth quarter that swung the momentum in Horsham's favour.
"That was the turning point. It got our supporters up and the boys fed off that," Benbow said.
"Then we went on a bit of a run just to finish the game off."
This was helped as four Lakers players finished the game with four fouls.
While Freddy Frew, Micah Livingstone stood out to Benbow.
The decider that marked Matt Lovel's 200th senior game will also be his last, with the veteran set to retire according to the head coach.
"A championship with his brother, playing with his cousin, what a fitting way to end for such a stalwart of the club," he said.
"He'll still be around Horsham Basketball, and whatever he chooses to do he'll be successful."
Hornets honoured with conference awards
The Hornets have three players earn end of season awards.
In his first CBL season, young gun Micah Livingstone has earned south-west men's MVP.
Livingstone played 11 matches and finished with 200 points, which was sixth-most in the conference.
"He's been unbelievable for us... He's got great footwork in the low post," Benbow said.
"It also means that Aussie [McKenzie] can come out a bit higher and Micah can go to work, which also opens Aussie up."
While McKenzie was named in the conference's all-star five alongside Simon Berkefeld (Mount Gambier), Joshua Miller (Hamilton), Liam Herbert (Warrnambool) and Kyle Tipene (Mount Gambier).
Cody Bryan has earned the defensive player of the year honours for the third consecutive season.
"To win it three times in a row of a league of this quality is huge," he said.
"He just quietly goes about his job, and there's no fanfare about it.
"He just shuts down everyone he plays on."