Isaac
Years ago
Hang Time 23, Grand Final edition
This could be the greatest Hang Time I've seen. Starts with the customary intro piece that I've included, grand final previews, describes the history of both the Halls and Woollacott medals with full listings of past winners, plus the top 20 or so vote getters for both medals this year, full award winners list from last Sunday's function, historical grand final results, stats leaders from the ABL season, and other ABA results and grand finals from around the country. How someone could endure Microsoft Word for long enough to compile it, I may never understand.
Anyway, here's the intro:
EAGLES AND SABRES DOUBLEBe sure to grab a copy at the game on Saturday night - if not to read the content or keep as a reference, just to feel the weight of the ink of so much content.
After two exciting preliminary finals in which Southern Tigers (women) and Norwood Flames (men) were eliminated by Sturt Sabres and Forestville Eagles respectively, both the women's and men's 2006 Grand Finals will be contested by the Sabres and the Eagles.
The 2006 Preliminary Finals proved to be worthy of their status with both games going to the wire. Southern Tigers had their chances in the final moments only to be pipped by the Sabres, despite the season-high 34 points scored by the Tigers' Tracey Beatty. It took a 3-pointer from veteran Jason Dix to get the Eagles over the line against the gritty Norwood Flames in the men's game. Brad Sullivan came back to form for the Eagles, shooting a game-high 32 points, while David Cooper pulled down his incredible season-high 36 rebounds.
The last and only time that double header Grand Finals between the Sabres and the Eagles have occurred was in 2002 when both Grand Finals were won by Sturt Sabres. Coaches Sharon Simons and Paul Bauer were playing for their current teams. Their respective teams would be favoured for this year's titles after taking the direct route to the Grand Finals. Their adversaries Marcus Wong and Andrew Simons may only need to make minor changes to their respective teams' strategies to reverse their last results.
Players from the four Grand Finals teams figured highly in the 2006 BankSA State League Central ABL awards at the Halls Woollacott Dinner, held at the Stamford Grand last Sunday night. Both Sharon Simons and Paul Bauer were acknowledged as Coach of the Year for their respective league.
Sturt's Darren Ng was a significant winner of the Woollacott Medal, the Advertiser Player of the Year and the Top Shooter awards as well as being chosen in the "All Star Five". Forestville's Jason Dix who was runnerup in the Woollacott Medal also was chosen in the "All Star Five". Both players will play key roles to achieve the ultimate team prize.
The Halls Medal count was the tightest in many years, West's Sam Woosnam winning by 1 vote from North's Erin Lorenzini. South's Jenine Browne was acknowledged as the Advertiser Player of the Year. Forestville's big three Narelle Lindsay, Rebecca Duke and Dee Ranford all figured highly in the count, with Narelle also being named in the All Star Five together with Sam, Jenine, Natalie Hurst and Tracey Beatty. Sturt's Monique Bowley won two statistical awards.
