Craigieburn Eagles have fallen a win short of a grand final berth in Big V men’s division 2 for a second straight year.
The Eagles needed two wins on the weekend against the Southern Peninsula Sharks to progress through to the grand final series, but could only come up with one.
On Saturday night, an understrength Eagles won 75-61.
With just eight players available, with Jackson Wynne and Abraham Solano playing in the club’s youth league’s grand final, players needed to play big minutes.
After a slow start, the Eagles started to find momentum in the second quarter. They were able to hit the front in the third quarter, outscoring the Sharks, 22-8.
Having taken control of the game, the Eagles did what they needed to in the last quarter to get the win.
Liam Watt led from the front with 22 points for the Eagles, with Damon Smith two assists shy of a triple-double. He had 13 points, 16 rebounds and eight assists.
The win meant the series was going to game three.
There would be no heroics this time run, with the Eagles losing 94-66.
The Sharks dominated throughout winning every quarter to build the match winning lead.
Big man Kewal Shiels top scored with 16 points while Smith had another double-double.
The Eagles youth league side will have to do it the hard way if they’re to claim the youth league two men championship.
The Eagles lost game one to Collingwood All Stars, 95-68.
The Eagles led at half time, but weren’t able to keep the momentum going in the second half.
Abraham Solano top scored with 24 points.
Game two, and if needed game three will be played at Craigieburn.
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