Finals-bound Lara Giants have been given a stern test on the final night of the RL Signs Geelong United Basketball Men’s Winter Championship regular season.
The Giants had to dig deep at AWA Alliance Bank Stadium to claim an 83-66 victory after Sharks got as close as five points during the final period.
Jack Burnett was the standout for Lara. The experienced big man showed his ability from outside, knocking down seven three-pointers on his way to a game-high 32 points.
Jackson Bentley was again important as he poured in 27 points, with Joel McFall’s 14 points a key supporting role.
Scott McCarthy (17 points) and Malik Davis (15) ensured Sharks lost no friends with their performance.
Lara will meet unbeaten regular season champions Pivot City in the second semi-final, which claimed its 16th victory of the campaign in holding off South Geelong Kings by 14 points at AWA.
Max Kos and Marach Marach contributed 24 points for Pivot, with Tyler Erard adding 17.
Kings young gun Will McPherson took his season tally to 350 points with a 23-point performance.
Big man Griffin Errey and Kyle Meyer both added ten points.
Fifth-placed Try Boys proved it was “best of the rest” after overcoming a hot finish from Christian College to claim an 89-81 victory at AWA.
Leading by 18 points at three-quarter time after a 28-19 third quarter, the Bears were able to hold off the Eagles, who stormed home with a 29-19 final period.
Thirty-one points from Seb Thomason and 22 from Nathan Gronbeck were vital for Try Boys.
Five players scored in double figures for the Eagles, with big men Liam McInerney (14 points) and Jamieson Hultgren (13) their best.
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Surfcoasters might have only suited up five players, but it was enough to overcome Wildcats and claim a fifth win of the season at Geelong Arena.
Each quintet member tallied in double figures in the 79-71 victory, led by 21 points from Clancy Whelan, 18 from Ethan Nicholls and 16 from Jack Moran.
Robbie Kennedy was best for Wildcats with 15 points, with Kale Wells next best with 14. Ma’alo Hicks and Tom Henkel finished with 13 apiece.
Oscar Leavold and Lachie van der Klooster starred with 19 points apiece as Tigers ended a tough campaign on a positive with an 84-50 victory over Vytis at AWA.
Evan Juros (15 points) and Josh Hasell (10) provided good support.
The evergreen Romas Liebich led the Knights’ scoring with 14 points, with Yusuf Qaafow relatively subdued in scoring 11.
YMCA, which will meet CC Eagles in a knockout semi-final next week, had the bye.
