WABL SUCCESS

Raiders Triumph Over Cougars in a Thrilling WABL Grand Final!

The Hills Raiders U16 Men’s Green team secured a hard-fought 73-70 victory over the Cockburn Cougars in an unforgettable Grand Final at Bendat Basketball Centre.

A wave of passionate Hills Raiders fans travelled to Bendat to cheer on their team, and they weren’t disappointed.

The Raiders came out firing, taking an 18-8 lead after the first quarter and extending their advantage to 40-25 by halftime. The entire team’s defensive effort and intensity were exceptional, providing an exciting spectacle for the Raiders faithful.

Despite the early dominance, the Cougars mounted a comeback in the fourth quarter with an impressive 32-14 run.

The Raiders were deep in foul trouble but worked hard to maintain their composure as the Cockburn pressure intensified. In the closing stages, Jacob Donovan and Garrick Smith showed ice-cool finishing skills, sinking crucial free throws to keep the Raiders in front. Hudson Stanger put in a tremendous effort to take care of the ball under immense pressure, helping the Raiders fight to keep their lead until the final siren sounded.

Charlie Weir delivered a standout performance, contributing 24 points. Garrick Smith’s 14 points and physical presence were thrilling from start to finish, while Jack Jardine played a key role in limiting the Cougars’ most dangerous player to just 4 points.

Huge congratulations to our Hills Raiders U16 Men’s Green and 2024 WABL Champions!