The Mandurah Magic’s under 13s girls side played their hearts out but came up short by the narrowest of margins in their campaign at the Smarter than Smoking State Championships over the weekend.
The Magic girls were fantastic in their age group’s top division, claiming wins in all four of their group stage games to progress to a semi final appearance against the Kalamunda Eastern Suns.
Their strong form continued in the semi bout, as Sydney Meares led the team to a 36-22 victory on the back of a stunning 18 points, the largest individual scoring effort of the tournament.
She did her best to back it up with a further 13 in the grand final against Geraldton, but the Magic girls fell just one point shy of the state championship title with a 19-20 loss.
The side heaved up a prayer in the dying seconds but it bounced off the ring.
Coach Stephen Tapper said he couldn’t be more proud of the team’s efforts at the carnival.
“We are really proud of the way the girls competed and conducted themselves over the entire weekend. It was a great all round team effort with all players playing their role,” he said.
“It was a heartbreaking defeat but the team got around each other and we’re really proud of our efforts.
“A big thanks has to go to our team manager, Beth Meares, who worked really hard to make sure the girls just had to worry about playing basketball.”
The girls will be hoping to get revenge on the Buccaneers when they meet again at the Country Championships in February.
The state championships continue this coming weekend, with Mandurah’s under 15 boys and girls hitting the courts in a bid for a state title.
Justin Rake
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
