10         9               4th                   56.97           

 

 For      Against      For/Against                        Playoffs

 556           476            29/25 (Average Per Game)    semi finalist

 

The elites have gone down by 23 points against a more disciplined and skillful kuma sutra allstar outfit. The result is a painful end to the elites season, which saw them lose their last 2 games of the season as well as the semi final. the match started with the kuma sutra all stars having it their way as they jumped to a 14-3 lead. The game threatened to become a blowout before the elites scored 9 of the next 11 pts to get to within 4 pts (12-16). Unfortunately, this was as close as the elites got as kuma sutra all stars managed to score the next 12 pts without reply to go into half time leading 28-12. To make matters worse, DU sustain an ankle injury late in the first half and was clearly in major discomfort.

 

The 2nd half saw the kuma sutra all stars extend their lead to 24 pts and before long the sting was completely and truly out of the game. DU tried to come back onto the court but it was clear that his movement on the court was limited and wasnt able to move freely or run at all. Despite this, the elites were able to stay competitive for the rest of the half to ensure the defeat didnt get any heavier than the scoreboard had already suggested. The 23 pt margin equalled their highest losing margin of the season after losing by the same margin to DTA in ths season proper. A painful end it can be said, but once again there was a common trend as the elites simply not being able to contain the opposition when they got a run on them as they allowed the kuma sutra all stars to go on a 18-0 run which ultimately decided the match.

 

Elites elimination from the finals race also saw Clifford and Anna announce their retirements from the elites team, which is going to make next seasons a very challenging one indeed for the elites and with DU in serious doubt for the start of next season, questions are now being asked as to whether or not the elites can remain competitive.

 

FINAL SCORE: Team Elites 29 def by Kuma Sutra AllStars 52

 

Sunday 25th March 2007 @ 8pm, Court 1

 

Regular Season Record - 10-9, 4th

 

Regular Season Series - Elites won 2-0

                                    1: Elites win by forfeit

                                    2: Elites 40 def Kuma Sutra All Stars 26

 

Form - The elites form looks shaky as they have once again repeated their late season form slump from last season by only being able to win 2 out of their last 6 matches which saw them just hang on to 4th spot by percentage on the ladder. They go into the finals having loss 2 in a row and dropping 3 of their last 4 games. Its not that the elites have been playing badly, it's how the elites, who in many of these matches, found themselves a good chance of winning the game but then all of a sudden, find themselves switching off for a brief period of time which has seen the elites go scoreless while allowing the opposition to make a run on and take control in that certain period of time. There were many examples during the latter half of the season where there were periods during the game where the elites just switched off. In the game against the

 

Mcaschfreys - the elites started badly and were down 2-14 in the first 10 mins of the first half before eventually running over the top of their opponents who slowly tired from fatigue.

 

Space cadets - saw the elites jump out to a 5-0 lead, early the first half before allowing the space cadets to score 11 of the next 13 pts and trailed 7-16 at half time before eventually losing out by 10 pts

 

Slackers - scores were level at 36-36 with just 6 minutes remaining and with the game in the balance and the elites with possession of the ball, DU calls a timeout to get his chargers refreshed to run out the last 6 minutes of the game. However the elites were only able to muster only 2 pts as the slackers scored 11 of the last 13 pts to effectively end the tight contest

 

Warriors - the elites were only down 21-23 with just 4 minutes remaining. However a soft foul on kosta saw him foul out of the game and this turn out to be the turning point of the match as the elites didn’t score anymore points after this incident. The warriors scored the last 6 points in the remaining 4 minutes to seal victory.

 

The ring ins - The elites had led 17-9 early in the first half and 21-18 at half time and looked headed for victory, but the 2nd half saw the elites go scoreless for the first 14 minutes of the 2nd half as the rings went on a 15-0 run which effectively saw the elites down by 12 pts with 6 minutes remaining and this turned out to be a match winning lead for the ring ins as they managed to eventually win by 3 pts despite the elites making a mini revival which went to no avail in the end.

For the elites, making the semi finals is merely confirmation that they have improved as a team, but rather some luck played apart to allow the elites a chance at making the grand final.

Medical Room - Good news for the elites, Sam and Richard is a 50/50 chance of making a return to help the elites win their first final, but we wont know for certain until possibly on the day of the finals. DU has a minor blister on his left wrist but shouls still be ok to take his palce in the line up. Wong has become a late withdrwawal due to uni assignment commitments.

Verdict - Well this is it. It's now or never for the elites. will their first time end in humiliation or ecstasy. It's hard to say considering the elties, for the majority of the season have been just hanging in there and as a result they have managed to sneak into the finals for the very first time. You have to give the elites enormous credit for making the final four for the first time despite what has happened this season and DU will have his troops believing they can pull off a miracle to make the grand final. The elites havent really been able to show all their cards this season due to injuries and player absences this season which haven't allowed the elties to play to their full potential. The absence of their star player "SAM" due to year 12 has been a huge blow to the elites team balance. Clearly they are a better team with SAM in it. It's going to be a tough one for the elites to win considering the form they are in at the moment and if SAM isnt able to take her place in the finals then its gonna make it a lot tougher for the elites to win, but then again this is a final and as such, anything can happen.

DU realised during the season that his team wasn't a high scoring team and wouldn't win anything by trying to outscore other teams - outside TRAN and CLIFFORD, they simply don't have enought fire power. So the elite palyers decided to make a renewed commitment to defence, in such that other teams might score on them, but they would have to work extremely hard to do so. It might be ugly, it might only be for the purists, but it has served them well in some of the games this season, and if they can maintain that effort in the semi finals then they have chance. But realistically, it's a small chance at that. Kuma Sutra All Stars have been terrific over the past couple of months and has been rarely challenged, and unless they suffer an unlikely meltdown, the elites will have to play near-perfect basketball to get even close. Therefore, TRAN and CLIFFORD will need to fire in this game and if neither one of them don't, then it will be a case of another one bites the dust. The only question that remains is, are the elites ready to take the next step or are they just simply there to make up the numbers. Also, can the elites avoid switching off during certain periods of the game because if they do happen to switch off in this crucial finals clash then there will be no way back for the elites. Keep in mind the elites have won both their clashes this season against the kuma sutra all stars but that won't count for nothing if they fail to beat them this Sunday. In the final analysis, the elites will give a good account of themselves, but they rely on too few offensively, and kuma sutra's all star's depth will be too much in the end as they should power away into the grand final and a shot at championship glory. Kuma Sutra All Stars by 8 pts

The elites have qualified for their first finals series despite going down by 3 pts to the ring ins in the final game of the season. A win would have all but sealed their place in the finals. However, the loss would see the elites leveled on pts with the slackers who had thrashed the crash and burn team and thus, it was going to come down to percentage and fortunately for the elites, their superior percentage allowed them to stay in the top 4 and have a finals fling.

 

The 1st half saw the elites jump out to a 17-9 lead with DU having scored the elites first 4 pts of the game in his comeback from injury. DU was in early foul trouble as he committed 3 fouls in the opening half. A solid start from the elites had everyone thinking that the elites had this one in the bag, but the ring ins fought back to score 9 of the next 13 pts, but it was the elites still up by 3 pts at half time.

 

The 2nd half was nothing short of extraordinary as the ring ins carried the momentum which saw them score 15 unanswered pts in a 14 minute period in the 2nd half which saw the elites down by 12 pts with 6 mins remaining. THe elites had not scored in the 2nd half and with 6 mins remaining it was CLIFFORD who finally broke the drought with a nice lay up which saw the elites instigated a mini revival and closed to within 3 pts with just under 2 mins remaining. The next offensive play from the elites saw KOSTA fouled and had 2 free throws to close the gap to a single pt. Unfortunately he missed both free throws. With just under a minute remaining A defensive stop saw the elites with possession and TRAN taking it down the court. His attempt at a drive and a shot saw him penalised for a charging foul. The ring ins were able to retain possession but with 5 seconds the elites were able to make a stop and had one last shot to tie the game. MEL's shot from half came agonisingly close to snatching a tie for the elites with the ball just hitting the front part of the rim.

 

Unfortunately, the elites have only themselves to blame for the loss which was due to the bad 2nd half lapse in which they were scoreless for the opening 14 mins of the 2nd half which ultimately proved costly and pretty much decided the outcome of the match. Their mini revival was a lost cause in the end and served only to put some respectability back into the scoreline. The ring ins on the other hand would have to be pleased in the way they finished their season, but unfortunately for them they will not participate in this season's finals series as bad form in the past month allowed the elites to snatch 4th place despite being in the top 4 for the majority of the season. Next week it will be elites to take on the minor premiers "kuma sutra all stars" in the 1st semi final.

 

FINAL SCORE: Team Elites 31 def by The Ring Ins 34

 

 

Form - the elites have yet to put together a winning streak of greater than 2 games. Their last 7 games after the mid season break has yielded win/win/loss/win/loss/win/loss. The pattern has been no surprise with the elites not being able to have their full squad in action each week. To everyone's surprise, they have managed to sneak into the top 4 with just one game remaining due mainly to the ring ins slipping up.

 

Medical room - Sam (season/yr 12), Richard (N/A), Wong (F1 Grand Prix), DU will make his long awaited comeback from a wrist injury after 6 months on the sidelines in rehab.

 

Verdict - How ironic isnt it. For the 2nd time in as many seasons, the elties find themselves having to practically win their last game of the season to clinch a finals berth. The ring ins on the other hand will narrowly miss out regardless if they were to win, but will be looking to ruin the elites finals aspirations and finish the season on a high. Last time these two sides met, it was an evenly fought contest which saw both sides having significant leads during the game before the elites burst the bubble with a devastating 14-0 run to effectively end the game as a contest. History shows that this game should be a close contest with the elites having everything to play for. The only time the ring ins have beaten the elites was early last season which saw both sides play out a thriller with the ring ins getting up thanks to a buzzer beater. If the elite's win/loss pattern this season is something to go by, then the elites should win this match. But rest assure, the ring ins wont just give it to them on a silver platter. Elites by 4 pts.

 

 

The elites have lost a somewhat scrappy affair by 8 pts who now find themselves in a situation where they have to beat the ring ins in the last game of the season to clinch 4th spot and a place in the finals.  The first half was nothing short of scrappy and rusty as both sides failed to make their shots count. Shots were either falling short of the rim or simply just seeing nothing but air. Neither side was able to break away as the match turn into a see sawing match which witness plenty of missed shots and 2nd shot opportunties being wasted. Nevertheless it was the elites by a pt at half time (7-6). The 7 pts scored in the first half is the lowest first half score that the elites have obtained this season.

 

The 2nd half saw the warriors score 6 of the first 8 pts of the 2nd half to edge out by 3 pts before a KOSTA 3 pt bomb levelled the scores at 12-12. Elites were 19-18 before the warriors responded with the next 5 pts to lead by 4 before the elites trimmed the margin to 2 pts. With about 4 mins remaining, KOSTA is penalised for a soft foul which saw him commit his 5th foul to send him out of the match. This ultimately was the turning point of the match which unfortunately for the elites saw the warriors run away with the game with the last 6 pts of the match. A terrible way to end the match for the elites, who had for most of the match had done well to contain the warriors and keep in the game against a team who had considerable size over the elites. The 21 pts scored was the elites lowest total of the season in a whole game. Their previous lowest was 26 pts which was also against the same team in the warriors and the other team being the dump box crew. 

 

With no game next week due to the adelaide cup, the elites get a week off to recharge their battery in what now is considered a do or die game in the last game of the season. The stakes couldnt be higher as the elites look to clinch a finals berth. There several ifs and buts which must fall the elites have to deal with. If the slackers tonight successfully account for the top team DTA, then the elites will definitely have to beat the ring ins in 2 weeks time to make the finals. If the slackers lose, then the elites should just about be safe due to their superior percentage over the slackiers and provided they dont lose heavily, if a loss was to happen. Therefore, for the 2nd time in as many season, the elites season now hangs in the balance with the last game of the season to ultimately determine their finals fate. In better news for the elites, DU should be available for the last game of the season with the wrist given the all clear by the doctors.

 

FINAL SCORE: Team Elites 21 def by Warriors 29

 

 

 

 

Last Time They Met - Team Elites 26 def by Warriors 28

 

Form - Elites had a week off due to Crash And Burn forfeiting. the past month has yielded them 2 wins and 2 losses.

 

Medical Room - Sam (Season/yr 12), DU (Wrist/2wks), Richard (N/A)

 

Verdict - With the final just 3 weeks away, the elites will be looking to sneak into 4th place by winning this match to put more pressure on the ring ins to hang on to 4th spot. . Just a few pts separate the Elites and the ring ins on the ladder and elites superior percentage over the ring ins will also help their cause in the event of elites being tied on pts with the ring ins. However, the elites need to win this week to keep their dream of a top 4 spot alive and well. Last time these two sides met, it was the warriors who got over the line in a thriller. The elites in that game didnt have Clifford, Kosta or Wong playing which saw the elites underman and lacking any tall centres to clean up the rebounds, which saw the warriors expose their lack of height to their advantage and lack of rotations in that game as the elites looked like they were gonna win it after leading by 6 pts midway through the 2nd half in that game, only to be pegged back. However, things will be different this time around as the elites will have Clifford and Kosta and Wong playing which pretty much tips the scales in favour of the elites. A loss could put a severely dent in their finals chances and would most likely see them having to win next week against the ring ins if that scenario was to occur. Nevertheless, with a finals spot at stake here, the elites should be able to claim maximum points against a young warriors side.

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