EAGLES SWEEP WARRAGUL

Neville Chivhanganye fires up
Pivotal moment - Santo ejected

It's common knowledge in LTU circles that there is no sweeter victory than to beat the Warragul Warriors. Since the first season in the then VBL in 2003, Warragul have been the LTU nemisis. Taunting, criticising, harrassing and worst of all beating LTU more often than not. But ask any basketball person and they will tell you that in order to win you must learn how to lose. So it has been for 4 years that LTU have taken their licks against Warragul and learned from their mistakes.

On Saturday night they put the Warragul hoodoo to rest for good. 5 times the 2 teams have met this season, and 5 times LTU have been victorious. There can be no argument against them. LTU were the better team and deserved to win.

The Eagles were prepared for the Warragul onslaught from the beginning. They knew that Mike Santo would put it all on the table in his quest to thwart the Eagles again. However LTU were focussed on playing basketball and sticking to the game plan. Both teams were visibly nervous at the start of the game and there were a few uncharacteristic turnovers. However Neville Chivhanagnye's first touch of the ball let everybody know that he was ready, a powerful post spin and bucket that would have scored in any league around. Tim Sturrock had a glimpse of the ring and the radar honed in and he never looked back.

Physical play has long been synonymous with LTU Warragul matchups and this game was no different. Chivhanganye and Andrew Oliver were relentless in their pursuit of the ball. Even "Big Jim" Sturrock skied for several boards. The Warriors held their own with Bonacci in particular punishing some lapses in LTU concentration on his way to a game high 19 boards including 9 offensive.

After a tight first quarter, Bryn Philpott-Evans was sent in to do what he does best. Play stingy defense on the player that shows him no respect - Mike Santo. Santo had started the game well and hit some amazingly tough shots and his verbal assault on players and spectators alike was in top gear. Knowing that Santo can't stand Bryn, Andrew Whelan sent him in to shadow the offensive maniac. Within 3 minutes, Bryn had hit the floor after Santo threw what was deemed to be deliberate elbow to the head. Santo was ejected and the Warriors went into damage control.

Respecting the depth of Warragul and knowing the danger of a cornered animal, Whelan urged his players to stay focussed and not allow Warragul back in to the game. Paul DiMarzio ensured that this happened. DiMarzio has gone from strength to strength in his leadership on and off the court and it has really shone in the 2 semi finals games. Once again, DiMarzio picked his moments to go to the basket or to make the right pass. His unbridled energy was contagious and his focus kept LTU on the right track. His game high 25 points were invaluable.

Warragul coach, Sandro Santo, threw everything he could at Whelan's Eagles to no avail. Big lineups and small lineups alike were repelled by the master tactician who inserted Devin Sturdy into the starting lineup to battle with the always dangerous, Nathaniel O'Brien. Sturdy was vital in keeping O'Brien to 16 points on 26% shooting.

In a game when points were at a premium due to the physical play, defense proved to be the key to victory. LTU was able to keep Warragul to shooting 30% and quell their much talked about outside shooters.

LTU carried a 27 point lead into the last quarter and was able to do enough to keep the Warriors at bay. A 22-20 final quarter pushed the final result to a 29 point LTU victory and a berth in the men's first ever BIG V Grand Final against the best team in the regular season, the Coburg Giants.

The Eagles are glad to have come this far but know that a Championship is well within their grasp. The focus now turns to Coburg and what all Trobers believe is a title that belongs to LTU.

STATS THAT MATTER

Paul DiMarzio 25 points 8/11 FG (73%)

Andrew Oliver 17 points 14 rebounds

Tim Sturrock 20 points 8 rebounds

Neville Chivhanganye 11 points 16 rebounds (22 mins)

Davin Sgargetta 7 assists

FULL MATCH STATISTICS

BIG V D2 MENS GRAND FINAL

LTU EAGLES v COBURG GIANTS

GAME 1  Saturday 18/8 7.00PM @ Darebin Stadium

GAME 2 Saturday 25/8 6.00pm @ Coburg Stadium

Game 3 Sunday 26/8 1.00pm @ Coburg Stadium (if required)

 

 




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