Lucky Loser Hunters Survive In Finals

Newcastle Herald

Monday August 4, 2008

By NEIL GOFFET

NEWCASTLE are the lucky losers in the Waratah League after losing their first finals match 101-88 to Bankstown at Newcastle Basketball Stadium on Saturday night.

The Hunters finished third on the ladder after the regular season, which was enough to get them into this weekend's semi-finals after top-two teams Sydney Comets and Sutherland both won.

Unbeaten at home all season, the Hunters were on track to keep that impressive record intact when they led by nine points at half-time.

Bankstown got within reach when they trailed by four points at three-quarter-time and dominated the final term to steal the game and ensure they continue in the finals.

"They [Bankstown] just got a roll on in the last quarter and we couldn't stop them," Hunters point guard Josh Morgan said. "We went away from what was working for us a bit and it cost us in the end."

The Hunters had an anxious wait in the dressing room until news filtered through that minor premiers Sydney Comets had beaten North Sydney and Sutherland ended Central Coast's season.

That meant Newcastle were the highest-ranked losers and the fourth team to progress to the semi-finals.

The semi-finals will be played on Saturday at Terrigal and the final will be played there on Sunday.

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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