1998 CBA Mens Finals Homepage

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Friday 14 August 1998

Cairns Marlins 97 (G.Butler 29) d Gold Coast Warriors 95 (D.McClain 22) in Cairns

Brisbane Brewers 105 (R.Stolberg 30) d Townsville Heat 103 (C.Hall 29) in Townsville

Saturday 15 August 1998

Gold Coast Warriors 80 (D.McClain 30) d Cairns Marlins 77 (G.Butler 29) in Cairns - North Conference semi final series tied 1-1

Brisbane Brewers 107 (R.Stolberg 30) d Townsville Heat 101 (S.Froling 22) in Townsville - Brisbane win North Conference semi final series 2-0, and qualify for the CBA national finals

Norwood Flames 103 (R.Sapwell 36) d Sturt Sabres 77 (J.Williams 22) - Central Conference quarter final

Woodville Warriors 103 (T.Brenton 36) d North Adelaide Rockets 95 (D.Metallinos 37) - Central Conference quarter final

Sunday 16 August 1998

Cairns Marlins 101 (T.Duggan 34) d Gold Coast Warriors 84 (D.Peacock 23) in Cairns - North semi final
Cairns win North Conference semi final series 2-1, and qualify for the CBA national finals

Thursday 20 August 1998

Cairns Marlins 92 (T.Boundy 20, C.Sneed 20) d Brisbane Brewers 68 in Cairns - North grand final, game #1

Friday 21 August 1998

Cairns Marlins 90 (G.Butler 27) d Brisbane Brewers 85 (A.Moore 20, R.Stolberg 20) in Cairns - Cairns win North Conference grand final series 2-0, amd will host a National quarter final

* Hobart Chargers (59) 124 d Mildura Mavericks (47) 98 - South semi final
(D Biwer 41 J Pepper 38 P Crombie 17) (S Flannery 31 C James 19 L Armfield 19)
Led by an outstanding triple-double by veteran David Biwer (41pts 17 reb & 12 assists) , the Tatts Hobart Chargers confirmed their home venue status to defend their South Conference championship. Biwer was well supported by fellow import Pepper (38 & 12) as well as guards Beattie, Harvey and Crombie in what was in the end a comfortable victory over the Mavericks. Mildura could not match the inside presence of the Chargers despite 31 pts from Sean Flannery as they were outrebounded 45-56 and forced into 21 turnovers.

Saturday 22 August 1998

*Geelong Supercats (68) 143 d Broadmeadows Broncos (55) 109 - South semi final
(C Jordan 42 R Walker 41 M Witkowski 16) (E Cox 26 M Todd 21 M Nunn 19)
Before another capacity crowd of 2478, the Supercats thrived on the vocal support as athletic Clyde Jordan and Rodney Walker led the way to a scoring feast, each contributing 42 & 41 pts. Young guard Jarrod Leonard fed the scoring machines with a match leading 10 assists. In a high scoring encounter, the Broncos attempted to force errors by a comprehensive full court defense but the Supercats teamwork and transition was too efficient. Marcus Todd who was hot from the perimeter and Eddie Cox kept the Bronco's in touch early, but a strong second half saw Geelong make an appointment with Hobart next Friday for the South Conference title.

* Frankston Blues (59) 101 d Knox Raiders (43) 86 - East semi final
(S Stewart 21 J Leahy 19 S Mitchell 18) (D Perry 19 L Molony 22 W Howell 15)
The depth of Frankston, with 6 players returning double figures led by Stephen Stewarts 21 pts, proved telling factor in a classic finals encounter. The intense defense applied by the Blues limited Knox's scoring opportunities, forcing the Raiders to return a poor 38% from the floor - despite Darren Perry's 7 three pointers and Liam Moloneys 10/13 @ 77% for 22pts. Despite hauling in a match high 16 rebounds, Derrick Leak was limited to only 8 pts by Frankston, which allowed them to continue their season and host next weeks East Conference title contest.

*Dandenong Rangers (46) 104 d Penrith Panthers (59) 98 - East semi final
(C Guittar 29 D Ryan 20 G Siegle 17) (A Clarke 33 B Grugan 19 A Svaldenis 10 G Gibson 10)
A strong start by the visiting Penrith Panthers, behind Andrew Clarkes 5 first half 3 pointers, saw them leading at the half by 13 pts. Rangers veteran Kent Lockhardt increased defensive intensity, limiting Panthers scorer Greg Gibson to only 10. This coupled with Siegle, Ryan & Guittar starting to find the basket, enabled Dandenong to chip away at the deficit. In the closest of all the semi finals the Rangers found the lead in the closing minutes for the first time in the game. They now travel to Frankston to defend their East Conference Title next Saturday.

Noarlunga City Tigers 87 (W.Joseph 29) d Norwood Flames 77 (R.Sapwell 28) - Central semi final
Noarlunga advance to Central Conference grand final against South Adelaide Panthers, and qualify for National finals

Friday 28 August 1998

Hobart Chargers (58) 109 d Geelong Supercats (48) 100 - South grand final
(J Pepper 31 D Biwer 29 P Crombie 20) (R Walker 30 C Jordan 29 C Rivett 16)

A blistering start in front of a vocal home crowd saw the Tatts Chargers bolt to a 14-0 opening against a nervous Geelong team who did not trouble the scoreboard until 5 minutes of the first term had elapsed. Bolstered by a strong contingent of supporters who made the trip over Bass Strait, the Mazda Supercats regained composure behind Chad Rivett strong rebounding presence and 8 first quarter points to trail by only six 19-25 at the first break. Biwer and Beattie led Hobart strongly inside on the defensive boards allowing good transition for the Chargers, but Geelong never lost touch with the contest as the difference fluctuated between 6-12 pts with Hobart heading into the main break leading by ten 58-48.

The intensity increased in the second half as the athletic Jordan and Walker started to find some space around the basket, but this was short lived as the Chargers defense adjusted quickly to the task. Trailing by 12 as the final term commenced Geelong started to find range from the perimeter and commenced a last ditch and concerted push to erase the deficit and closed the difference to only 3 pts inside the last 5 minutes. But the strength of Biwer, court sense of Pepper, as well as some long range answers from Harvey & Crombie consolidated the Chargers and Hobart held on to secure back to back South Conference titles by 9 points in a top class and entertaining game - worthy of championship status.

Game MVP - David Biwer (Hobart) Crowd - 2057 (sellout)

Saturday 29 August 1998

Frankston Blues (51) 103 d Dandenong Rangers (43) 87 - East grand final
(D Lucas 30 J Leahy 26 S Mitchell 15) (D Ryan 22 C Guittar 20 B Knight 20)

In a top class and defensively physical contest both teams were allowed to play in what proved to be an exciting and entertaining opening that saw no nerves displayed. Frankston managed to squeeze out a small lead at the conclusion of the first stanza 30-23. The second quarter was evenly balanced with Darren Lucas contributing at both ends of the court, providing the Blues with 18 first half points whilst maintaining East Conference MVP Chuck Guittar scoreless in this term. Dandenong youngsters led by Damian Ryan (8) as well as Siegle & Knight worked hard and stepped up to maintain the status quo with the difference only 8 at half time 51-43 in Frankston's favour.

Frankston consolidated in the third quarter despite constant pressure and offensive challenges from the Rangers, eventually increasing their lead by another three to enter the final term holding sway by 11 pts as the final twelve minutes commenced. It was all action as Dandenong big men Guittar (9) and Knight (6) finally broke the shackles of the Blues defense, but could not contain the depth of Frankston offensive scorepower. Mitchell, Leahy & Stewart all contributed to increase the lead for Frankston who scored at 53% from the floor to secure their first ever Conference Championship. The experience and intensity of Darren Lucas was in the end the telling factor as he contributed 30pts @ 82% as well as 7 rebounds, and 3 assists.

Game MVP - Darren Lucas (Frankston) Crowd - 1235 (sellout)

Noarlunga City Tigers 105 (J.Wilson 24, W.Joseph 22) d South Adelaide Panthers 88 (S.Goodman 17, S.Ah Matt 13) - Central grand final
Noarlunga won the Central Conference title by reversing last year's grand final result in front of a crowd of over 2,000 South Australian fans. Noarlunga now host their national quarter final, while South Adelaide must travel away.

Saturday 5 September 1998 - Quarter Finals
Weekend Wrap-up

Hobart Chargers (Sth 1) (67) 117 defeated South Adelaide Panthers (Cent 2) (39) 94
( D Biwer 34 P Crombie 22 B Harvey 20) (S Goodman 23 S Ninnis 18 J Bayliss 18)

Frankston Blues (East 1) (45) 110 defeated Brisbane Brewers (Nth 2) (36) 74
(J Leahy 29 S Stewart 29 S Mitchell 18)) (B Beak 17 R Stolberg 13 P Issitt 12)

Cairns Marlins (Nth 1) (47) 100 defeated Dandenong Rangers (East 2) (31) 89 Butler 27
(C Sneed 20 T Duggan 17) (C Guittar 24 B Knight 23 K Lockhart 16) Match Report

Geelong Supercats (Sth 2) (72) 131 defeated Noarlunga City Tigers (Cent 1) (40) 89
(M Witkowski 29 R Walker 27 C Jordan 24) (M Houle 33 W Joseph 15 P Mesecke 9)

Saturday 12 September 1998 - Semi Finals

* Frankston Blues (49) 127 d Hobart Chargers ( 51) 92
(J Leahy 29 S Stewart 29 S Mitchell 19) (P Crombie 24 D Biwer 21 B Harvey 18)

A blistering 14-0 start by Frankston put Hobart on the back foot but the Chargers recovered to take a 2pt lead into the half time break behind a strong second term. No one was prepared for the third term onslaught by the Blues returning a 47-16 scoreline (a national final record quarter score) setting up what in the end was a match winning effort for a shot at the title.

* Cairns Marlins ( 50 ) 105 d Geelong Supercats ( 50 ) 84
(G Butler 44 T Duggan 18 C Sneed 14) (R Walker 26 M Witkowski 23 C Jordan 17)

A very even opening saw the visiting Geelong just hold sway but Cairns balanced the ledger at half time 50 apiece. An unstoppable George Butler set the pace in the second half with 24 of his match high 44pts. The Supercats were still in touch entering the last term but a strong 28-15 final stanza by the Marlins secured a consecutive national title appearance. Match Report

Saturday 19 September 1998 - Grand Final

Cairns Marlins (40) 88 d Frankston Blues (48) 74
(C Sneed 29 T Duggan 18 G Butler 15) (S Stewart 19 D Lucas 13 J Leahy 13)
Grand Final MVP:- Chris Sneed (Cairns) 29pts 17 reb. Match Report

1998 National Awards -
Most Valuable Player: Chris Sneed (Cairns)
Coach of the Year: Bill Runchey (Frankston)
Youth Player of the Year: David Anderson (AIS)
All-CBA: Rhys Newsome (Frankston), Darren Smith (Hobart), Ryan Stolberg (Brisbane), Chuck Guitar (Dandenong), Chris Sneed (Cairns)

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