Back-to-back champs
Barking Owls clinched back-to-back Albany Basketball Association men's A-grade premierships with a dominant second-half performance against Wolves setting up their second grand final victory on Friday night.
After returning to the local competition only midway through the season, Darren Berry inspired Owls to victory with a stellar last half that included a pivotal offensive rebound and basket in the final minute.
Deservingly, Berry was named most valuable player in Owls' 12-point victory, for his 10-point second half and countless rebounds while locked in an enthralling one-on-one battle with young centre Shaun Rost.
Berry finished with 14 points, leading all scorers, and was the most influential player in the decider even after committing three personal fouls in the opening 10 minutes of the contest.
After a cautious start from both sides, Owls opened up a lead courtesy of key playmaker and captain Justin Benson, but their early foul trouble allowed Wolves back into the contest.
Solid work from Rost under the basket and a three-point play from Matt Goodall on the verge of half-time handed Wolves a slender two-point advantage. That advantage didn't last long once the second period began, however, as Owls hit the front and led by as much as seven points when Tristan Mackenzie nailed one from long range midway through the half.
Wolves got back on level terms, not for the first time in the match, with Rost, Goodall and Tom Powell all involved, but they could never sink the shot that would put them in front in the final five minutes.
Owls found another gear in the final minutes, Carwin Garcia continuing his last-half feast in offence before Berry snared a big offensive rebound and put it back in off the glass to ensure their victory.
Their 45-33 win was their second in as many years for Owls, who endured four consecutive grand final defeats in the seasons prior to their breakthrough 2013-14 premiership.
All of Garcia's 11 points came in the second half, and along with Benson (11 points) and Joel Bellinger-Brown (six), he provided the necessary assistance to Berry in offence.
Benson was delighted with the performance of his entire team.
"Everyone played pretty well, even if it didn't say so on the scoresheet," he said.
"We were slightly better than Wolves this year.
"Darren really anchored the defence for us and there seemed to be a bit more room for him in the second half under the basket."
Wolves hit none of 10 three-point attempts in the last half and finished the match with one of 13 attempts from long range successful.
Goodall (11) was brave in defeat and received support from Rost (eight) and Tom Powell (seven).
"We couldn't buy anything in the second half," he said.
"It felt like we stayed in it, but the last five minutes we slackened off.
"I'm really happy with the way we finished the season, to win those two games to get here, and we are only going to get better from here."
