The Sureway Wollongong Roller Hawks have claimed a fourth straight National Wheelchair Basketball League title after defeating the Perth Wheelcats in Sunday’s Gold Medal game 75-66.
Trailing by three going into the final quarter, the Wheelcats scored back to back baskets to start the term through Tom McHugh and Andrew Dewberry to take the lead 58-57.
The two sides traded baskets with Nick Taylor sinking a shot before Dewberry scored again helping Perth regain the lead 60-59.
But it was there the Wheelcats’ offense halted, the Roller Hawks going on a 10-0 run to give themselves the breathing space they and their fans were looking for all afternoon in a title battle between the top two seeds.
McHugh fouled out with four and half minutes remaining, leaving Perth without their big target underneath, forcing them to shoot long range shots in the dying minutes which were unable to find their mark.
The Roller Hawks played the percentages and got good shots close to the basket, Shawn Russell scoring 6 of his 14 points in the final quarter.
The teams traded blows throughout the first three quarters with Perth adjusting from their horrible start on Friday that saw them down 22-8 against the Roller Hawks to instead lead at quarter time in the Grand Final 19-15.
On the back of Nick Taylor, who landed a three to start the second period on his way to 9 points on 4/4 shooting for the quarter, the Roller Hawks regained control after the first break, out scoring the Wheelcats 24-13 to take a 39-32 advantage into halftime.
It appeared the defending champions had shaken off their slow start and were ready to power to another championship but the Perth Wheelcats weren’t done yet, staying within two possessions throughout the third term and never letting the lead get beyond 6.
As three quarter time loomed, a McHugh three pointer drew the Wheelcats within 1 with 25 seconds remaining before Brett Stibners converted two free throws to give the Roller Hawks a three point edge going into the final quarter.
Tristan Knowles led the team with a triple double (24 points, 10 rebounds, 14 assists), Nick Taylor had 23 points on 11 of 14 shooting and Shawn Russell had 14 points and 7 rebounds.
The victory is the Roller Hawks’ fourth consecutive championship and brings the club to 7 NWBL titles overall (2003, 2011, 2012, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022), bringing them equal with Perth for all time championships.
COVID saw seasons 2020 and 2021 cancelled.
In the earlier results the Perth’s women’s team finished their season undefeated to win the WNWBL Championship 52-35 over Sydney Metro Blue Hornets.
In the men’s playoff for Bronze, the Darwin Salties and Queensland Spinning Bullets traded three pointers in the final minute with Queensland’s Lachie Dalton landing his as the buzzer expired to give the Spinning Bullets a 70-69 win.
In the women’s playoff for Bronze, Sydney Uni Flames defeated Queensland Comets 59-42.
Attention now turns to the Commonwealth Games with 3x3 being contested for the very first time for both able bodied and wheelchair basketball.
Luke Pople will turn out for the Rollers while Hannah Dodd will play for the Gliders. The basketball competition for 3x3 basketball begins on July 29.