PPBA-JC
Years ago
Port Pirie Panthers vs. United District
On Saturday, 03rd November United District Div 3 Men, visited Port Pirie to take on our Senior Panther Men Combined Team.
Head Coach Clive Munzberg & former Port Pirie representative and United Div 3 Women's coach Whitney Johnston (nee O'Dea), caught up with each other to organise the event, which was a fantastic coup for Country Basketball.
This time it was a One Game Feature Exhibition(compared to 2 games against UNI SA).
The boys from both United District & the Panthers really enjoyed it both on & off the court & I continue to repeat, BASKETBALL was the greatest & ultimate winner from the efforts put in by everyone.
The night again began with our DNSP (Development Junior Development Network) Kids taking to the court for a match, to demonstrate their abilities & skill
The game wasn't as close as the night of UNI SA visitng, but it was just as entertaining.
Powerade White came out victorious on this occasion and now their head to head battles are even at 1 each.
With UDBC sitting atop the Div 3 Mens competition, the Panther players were unsure how we were going to go however looking forward to the challenge.
The game started at an awesome pace & the Panther Men took it at the much bigger UDBC team creating a very physical game that the umpires had to try to take control of.
After the fast & physical start to the game, Panthers took a 8 point advantage tp qtr time leading 21 to 13.
UDBC regrouped & took the challenge back to the Panthers scoring at will, with a 32 point second term and keeping Panthers to a paltry 19, stealing the lead & the momentum into the break 45 to 40.
UDBC continued into the third term as they left term 2,scoring at will & breaking away to a 15 point lead with just 4 minutes remaining in the quarter.
Panthers clawed their way back into the game with the time winding down, increasing their defensive pressure up the floor and causing numerous turn overs, at the break Panthers had out scored UDBC 26 to 22 & the UDBC lead was back to 1 point and only 12 minutes left in the match.
The last quarter went score for score, and with under 5 minutes remaining Panthers finally wrestled the lead back & the crowd was cranking up the support to get the boys home.
UDBC found something extra with under 2 mins, breaking out to a 8 point lead & almost putting out the fire the Panthers had lit. With time running out Panthers again tried to hit back but UDBC didn't allow an easy run, nailing a 3pt shot & finishing off at the foul line to win by 6 points.
The Port Pirie Basketball Association welcome more (any and all) metro div 3 teams to come down to have a run against our combined men.
We would really like to fill our calender up however spots are running out with our Blitz Senior Country Carnival on the weekend of Nov 17/18, Adelaide Uni bringing Men's & Women's teams down on the 24th & then former Port Pirie boy, ex NBL Player and Woolcott Medallist Scott Arnold & his Allstars attending to play a exhibition game on the 8th December.
We will contribute $150 towards Accomodation/Petrol per team (max. 2 capped at $300), we will publicise your attendance through posters, local newspaper, local radio, possibly television, verbally & our website www.portpirie.basketball.net.au, we will give you a competitive game (hopefully beat you ofcourse), the representatives - players, coaches & partners will put on a supper after the game featuring pizzas, platters & sweets and last but definately not least of all, our fully licensed bar and canteen facilities will offer you a great assortment of bevereges at very affordable 'cheap' prices.
Other dates that could be of interest to you is Dec 15, Jan 12 or Jan 19, for games prior to the Country Championships. After the Champs we have available Feb 16 & Feb23 leading up to local Finals & Adelaide Winter Season.
Then moving into April & continuing on while we can fill weekends with games until the Barossa Valley Senior Carnival in July........
