All nine Deni Junior Giants teams will head to Shepparton this weekend for the last tournament of 2023.
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The sides will head into the Saturday and Sunday competition buoyant after good performances form some of the teams at the Wangaratta tournament on November 18 and 19.
This tournament would take a different format than most, with teams playing four 10 minute quarters.
The tournament also introduced the shot clock.
The under-16 girls, proudly sponsored by Deniliquin Toyota, progressed to the semi- finals.
Game one was against the Shepp Gators.
Although the Giants lead at every break, scoring an even 11 points in both halves and their biggest lead at half time, Shepparton slowly came into the game.
Implementing the defensive trap was successful, however Shepp were able to hit the score board more consistently resulting in a draw at full time.
The girls were keen to redeem themselves in game two, finding momentum and working in unison as a team the girls took out a big win over the Wangaratta Warriors 42-15.
Emotions were running high in game three versus Echuca after a big day, followed by a late game.
The girls came out with a point to prove, but goals were dropping left, right and centre!
The confidence and pressure made Echuca nervous and the girls were able to convert every turnover, taking out another big win 50 to 15.
Game four against Tumut Timberwolves on Sunday morning should have been an easy win based on the ladder and previous results, but was a nail biter right to the final siren.
Tumut were leading at quarter time, scores were even at half time and Tumut again leading at the third quarter break.
However the Deni girls found another gear right when it mattered and came home with a win 35-32 securing a place in the semi final.
Deni would come up against the Giants in the semi final, and after drawing to Shepp in the opening game they knew this was going to be a close game.
Deni were up by one point at half time, and although the Giants had possession of the ball a lot in the second half there were not always able to convert.
The girls fought hard right to the end, unfortunately going down 26-30 and missing a grand final appearance.
The Deni Clothing Co Tournament Award was presented to Bae Willis, who had a fantastic tournament in both offence and defence.
When given a task in important situations she completed it perfectly.
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The under-16 boys, proudly sponsored by Deni Autoglass & Tinting, had an amazing tournament in Swan Hill.
They won four of five games and narrowly missing a grand final appearance, which is a great improvement on the Swan Hill tournament two weeks earlier.
Game one saw the Giants take on Wangaratta.
The game started as a close encounter with neither team able to take control in the first quarter.
The boys were asked to lift the defensive pressure and Chase Bartlett responded, causing multiple turnovers leading to fast break baskets.
Archer Moodie and Stuart Benger were given the ball handling duties for this game and controlled the tempo perfectly.
The Giants had the edge and they never looked back, running out 38-21 winners.
Game two was a match up with Tatura, who were unknown to the Giants.
This had little impact on the boys who executed their offensive structure to perfection.
Jai Park and Spencer Cowley ran a two-man game to take the game out of Tatura’s grasp with a 46-37 win.
There was a nice cameo from Henry Robinson who stepped up and knocked down a beautiful three pointer.
Game three against Benalla was one sided from the start.
Jai was at his dominant best, with the defence unable to stop his cuts to the basket.
Spencer and Nick Fanning stood tall in defence to limit any second chance opportunities for Benalla.
The Giants won 51-35.
Game four had the boys tackle the might of Wodonga and they brought the defensive pressure.
Talen Barnes held strong to bring the ball out of defence with great ball skills, but the Giants struggled to score in the first quarter.
Wodonga had a giant in the key who blocked everything that came his way.
With a slight change to the offense, with Jai and Spencer taking the challenge on the defensive end on the dominant big for Wodonga, the boys were away.
Tom Way lifted the defensive pressure through his intensity and the Giants were able to run out 41-35 winners.
Game five was a grudge match against Echuca.
Echuca had been unstoppable all weekend, destroying all teams they faced.
The winner of this game would face Tumut in the grand final, so there was plenty on the line.
The boys got into the arm wrestle early, and the game was a defensive battle.
Chase led the way with Talen and Henry putting huge pressure on Echuca’s ball carriers.
Strong rebounding from Nick, Jai and Spencer limited Echuca’s second chance opportunities and the game was on a knife edge at half time, 9-12.
The team that settled into their offence would be the team to take control of the game.
Unfortunately, Echuca did this quicker, and the Giants were unable to go with them.
Fred Everett got a sneaky drive to the basket, giving off a quick pass for a goal.
It not enough though, with Echuca running out 46-19 winners.
The Menadue Floor Coverings tournament award went to Spencer Cowley,who was rewarded for his resilience and commitment to do the jobs that go unnoticed by most.
•••
The under-18 girls, proudly sponsored by Intersport Deniliquin, were unable to repeat their performance from the Swan Hill tournament and unfortunately came away without a win for the weekend.
The girls started off against Benalla Breakers, who they had beaten narrowly in Swan Hill.
Benalla got off to a good start, hitting baskets early. The girls then played catch up.
Emma Parks was solid driving the basket with Molly Bradley providing support down the court.
Remy Henderson made it difficult for the breakers under the ring, putting the pressure on, but it was too late and Benalla sealed the 38-31 win.
Game two was against the Shepp Gators.
What the Giants thought might have been redemption from a grand final loss against the Gators in Swan Hill didn’t go their way.
The scores were all level at quarter time, but a slow second quarter saw the Gators take a six point lead at half time.
The third quarter was low scoring, with Lilly Westcott the only player adding to the scoreboard.
The Giants won the last quarter with great defensive pressure and rebounding by Ava Richards, and a three pointer by Aysha Mitsch.
But it was too late, the Gators getting the win 31-24.
In game three, Deni had a solid first quarter against an unknown Mansfield Eagles team.
The girls fell away with lazy decision making and a lack lustre approach.
On the upside, Hazel Glowrey started to find her way and read the game while Jerrah Caruso got a couple of steals and scored double figures.
Mansfield won convincingly, 76-24.
The final game for the tournament was always going to be tough, with Deni playing top of the ladder Wodonga Wolves.
The girls were keen to redeem themselves from Saturday night’s game and they showed their skills and teamwork paid off.
They definitely held their own, but still went down by 13 points, 27-14.
The Essential Shearing Tournament Award went to Ava Richards for her improved defensive pressure and confidence.
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