Jets clinch title in nail-biter
Wolves and Jets took to the NSC Arena Court for the third time in as many years as the 2024/25 Basketball Season reached it’s climax this week. Both teams have posted strong performances against each other in the regular season and anticipation was high for an energetic game. Wolves were quick to bite with a drive from the jump ball that drew the foul from Tom Dalton-Brown and put Viktor Capkanovski on the line for two free throws. A fast break layup and mid-range from Ross Wilson saw Wolves build a slender lead. It was short-lived though as Jets tied the game with two solid outside shots from Dalton-Brown and Paul Kilic.
This was an indicator of the game to come, neither managing to pull more than a few points ahead in a to-and-fro match that was decided on fine margins. Wolves continued to attack the rim with strong drives and picks while Jets ran more set pieces that opened up nice dish opportunities combined with swish outside shooting. Both teams worked well on offence to spread the scoring across their squads, with multiple players being serious offensive threats which forced a co-ordinated effort from each team’s defence. Wolves maintained a solid man on man defence throughout, though were punished at times for ball watching with some nice drive and dump and backdoor cuts. Jets meanwhile alternated between defences but favoured a box-and-one with Dalton-Brown covering Capkanovski. It left them exposed on the weakside at times to the benefit of Harry Brindle, Michael Pardoe and Wilson.
The first quarter saw Jets ahead by the smallest of margins, Jakob Glover hitting a late fast break to put them ahead 22-21. Peter Boussougou extended the lead with a 3 and a mid-range at the start of the second, but Wolves were quick to hit back and had stolen the lead at the mid-point as Ben Takkan joined Wilson and Capkanovski in solid drives. The second ended as a score tie for the quarter, but left Jets ahead 38-37 at halftime. Wolves tied the game in the third, 55-55, rookie Max Edwards and stalwart Pardoe hitting their marks, and the game stayed effectively tied throughout the fourth quarter until a nice shot from Kilic gave Jets a 2-point advantage.
Wilson drew the game level in the final minute of the fourth, a solid drive putting him on the line for foul free throws which he sank to bring the game to 69-69. Jets were soon back in the lead though as Boussougou and Mears both hit mid-range shots to cheers from the sidelines, pushing Jets ahead by 4. Wilson again stepped up on the drive and free throw line and, with less than 20 seconds remaining the game was down to 2-points, Jets ahead 73-71. Needing possession Wolves gave a quick foul that put Kilic on the line and extended the Jets lead to 3-points, 74-71. With possession theirs, Wolves used their last time out to discuss a plan and advance the ball to the front court. A quick inbound followed by a pick and cut saw the ball hit the hands of Capkanovski and, despite strong defensive pressure from Dalton-Brown, he caused a sensation by swishing a buzzer beating 3 that tied the game 74-74 at full time.
Overtime was a battle of wills between the two teams, both keeping the intensity high throughout the five-minute period. Dalton-Brown was quick to open the scoring with a nice drive but Jets weren’t ahead for long as Wilson went to the basket for Wolves and drew the foul-free throws – sinking both to tie the game 78-78. The teams stayed level for most of the remaining time, but the last minute saw a flurry of action that drew gasps and cheers from the assembled spectators. Initially Wolves started to pull away, a quick drive from Capkanovski putting them ahead by 1 and followed by a 3-pointer from Wilson to extend the lead to 4.
It could have been the start of a run that would have sealed the game but Dalton-Brown kept a cool head and sank a pressure 3 that slashed Wolves lead to 1, followed on the next attack by a nice jump shot from Mears flipping the lead in Jets favour – 85-84. Wolves lost possession on the return and, with only a few seconds remaining, were forced to foul putting Kilic on the line. He sank both free-throws, extending Jets lead to 87-84 with 3 seconds remaining in the game. Wolves managed a quick inbound and got the ball into the hands of Wilson who launched a ¾ court shot just before the buzzer. The crowd held their breath as it flew through the air but it was Jets who erupted as the shot fell just short and they claimed a thrilling 3-point victory to be named 2024/25 Champions in one of the best League finals in years.
Man of the Match was awarded to Tom Dalton-Brown for an outstanding performance on lockdown defence and offensive presence. Special mention goes to Viktor Capkanovski though whose buzzer beating 3-pointer is still doing the rounds on social media. Thanks go to all the supporters, officials and organisers for an exciting evening of basketball.
