Hornets, Redbacks leap up ladder

BY ABBY WALTER

Horsham Hornets men’s team has secured a position in the top four and will prepare for finals next weekend.

It was quite an upset for the Hornets to defeat previously top-placed Mt Gambier Lakers by six points to win in the team’s final game of the homeand-away season.

The Hornets have propelled themselves to third position and will face the Lakers again in a semi-final.

Horsham’s strong first half kept the win within reach after Mt Gambier bounced back from a slow start to win the third and fourth quarters.

Austin McKenzie scored 26 points in Saturday’s game, while Cody Bryan chimed in with 19 points.

The Hornets went into the second half with a 16-point lead, however, the Lakers were not going to lose easily and the final half was competitive to the end. The final score was 87-81.

Mt Gambier now sits second on the ladder after Ararat jumped to top spot following its double-header weekend.

The Redbacks defeated Millicent Magic on Saturday night by 24 points.

Fletcher Burger and Ethan Fiegert were the team’s top scorers with 21 and 20 points respectively.

A different team list on Sunday saw the Redbacks lose to Terang Tornadoes by a narrow four points.

Fiegert shot 27 of the team’s total 71 points.

The Redbacks were leading at halftime and had a strong third term, however could not maintain their momentum to hold on until the final whistle.

The Redbacks will play Portland Coasters or Millicent Magic in a semifinal, depending on the result of the Magic and Surfcoast Chargers clash on Saturday – the only round 16 game.

The finals hopes of Horsham Hornets women’s team have ended after a loss to Mt Gambier Lakers.

Portland and Warrnambool both had wins to bump Horsham out of a topfour standing.

Horsham came out firing in the first quarter but could not get back on top after a tough second quarter.

Ema Iredell was again consistent as the team’s main point scorer with 18 against Mt Gambier.

The game marks the end of the season for the women’s team.

Finals are scheduled to begin on February 11.

Conroy’s teammate Wilbur Shea, left, guards Cade Kelly. The Redbacks defeated Millicent Magic by 24 points.

Far left, Horsham Hornets’ James Hallet gets a pass away against Mt Gambier on Saturday. The Hornets came out on top, winning by six points.