BSBL 2023: Quality season for BSBL as competition begins new era

The 2022-23 Bunbury Senior Basketball League season came to a memorable end last Friday night, with two quality grand finals taking centre stage at the South West Sports Centre.

Justin Fris takes a look at all teams, along with the award winners.

A-men:

Bulls Maroon

With several playmakers (Clive Weeden and Travis Durnin, to name a few) in their side, Maroon completed the minor premiership/grand final victory (80-77 over Tornadoes Black) double under Carl Catalano.

Durnin hit the headlines in round 10 when he tied the Bunbury Basketball Association’s individual game scoring record of 71 points during his side’s 123-117 win against the Bulls.

This group will be remembered as one capable of making the amazing look easy.

Tornadoes Black

Shane Goff again worked wonders on the sideline, as he guided Tornadoes Black into another deep post-season campaign.

Xavier Cotton (387 points) again was solid offensively, while Callum Heap again gave his best each week.

After trailing 35-11 at quarter-time in the grand final against Bulls Maroon, Black fought back and lost by only three points.

Bulls Gold

Despite being one of the most exciting teams to watch all year, Bulls Gold fell apart in the finals, dropping both of their games.

Pharell Keats set tongues wagging week-in, week-out due to his exceptional athletic ability — something which caught the eye of South West Slammers men’s coach Shane Goff (also at Tornadoes Black) and resulted in the young talent receiving an NBL1 West contract for 2023.

Conquerors

It is safe to say Conquerors’ inaugural A-men senior season in the Bunbury Basketball Association was a success — not only due to playing finals, but by playing each game in a fair, hard and passionate manner.

The club’s B-men team also won the grand final.

Aces Sky

A team which spent most of the year on the fringes, consistency was an issue at times for Aces Sky, although several game-winning efforts from Thomas Worrigal and Nathan Walsh did not go unnoticed throughout the BSBL.

Bulls

The Bulls were very much a mixed bag. When all their stars were on court, they won games. Other nights they had to forfeit or were compromised because of insufficient playing numbers.

Tornadoes Red

Red were plagued by player departures and injuries for most of the season and never seriously looked like causing damage when pitted against the top-three sides later in the year.

Eaton Eagles

Bereft of senior support, the young Eagles were blown away every time they took to the floor. The sole ray of hope was the brilliance of Jacob Macleod-Paterson, who could hold his head high each week.

A-women

Aces Sky

Effectively with an all-NBL1 West starting five, Vlad Alava’s Sky went through the regular season undefeated, although they were pushed in some games.

In the shock of the season, the minor premiers dropped the qualifying final to Aces Navy, however, they reversed the result in the grand final.

Inside shooting and height was the method of success for this team — primarily due to Carly and Christina Boag, along with Abbey Hall.

Aces Navy

The feel-good story of the women’s competition this year.

Packed to the brim with teenagers, Navy won many hearts this year and probably even exceeded their own expectations by reaching the grand final against Aces Sky.

On the back of a solid season, youngster Alexis Donovan is one of several players offered an opportunity to play NBL1 West with the South West Slammers.

Tornadoes Black

Because of injuries, sporting commitments and player unavailability issues, Tornadoes Black had a forgettable home-and-away season.

However, given they were the fourth-best side in a five team competition, Black were still able to quality for finals.

Once they got there, Julieann Bissaker’s team reminded us all how finals can often be vastly different to the home-and-away component of the year, reaching the preliminary final.

Tornadoes Red

Despite having their fair share of player availability issues throughout the season, Tornadoes Red were competitive in all games.

Heading into the elimination final as favourites, Red were beaten 72-60 by fourth-placed Tornadoes Black, which ended a season which appeared certain of going further.

Eaton Eagles

It was another forgettable season for the Eagles, who finished with only one victory. With no senior recruits brought in to help the younger players, Karinda Farrant once again was required to effectively carry the offence on her shoulders.

Spare a thought for Farrant — she scored 279 points from 11 games in a side routinely beaten — and was only held under 20 points once.

Despite this, she was not recognised as an All-Star or MVP contender.

Awards

A-men: Grand final MVP - Rivar Evans (Bulls Maroon); 2022-23 All-Stars: Pharell Keats (Bulls Gold), Thomas Worrigal (Aces Sky), Travis Durnin (Bulls Maroon), Nathan Walsh (Aces Sky), Jaikie Hastie (Conquerors); Runner up MVP - Travis Durnin (Bulls Maroon); MVP - Pharell Keats (Bulls Gold); Leading pointscorer - Pharell Keats (583 points); Rising Star - Jack Flynn (Tornadoes Red).

A-women: Grand final MVP - Carly Boag (Aces Sky); 2022-23 All-Stars: Tiahna Sears (Aces Sky), Alira Fotu (Aces Navy), Sierraleone Simpson (Tornadoes Red), Ebony Bilcich (Tornadoes Black), Bree Chalk (Tornadoes Black); Runner up MVP - Alira Fotu (Aces Navy); MVP - Tiahna Sears (Aces Sky); Leading pointscorer - Tiahna Sears (436 points); Rising Star - Alexis Donovan (Aces Navy); Referee of the Year - Jakeb Burford.