Endeavour Ipswich Basketball Club become National Champions!
In a thrilling showdown, Endeavour Ipswich Basketball Club triumphed over the reigning champions, Thames Valley Cavaliers, with a final score of 96-90, clinching their first WNBL National Cup since the 2017/18 season.
The game showcased a nail-biting back-and-forth battle between two evenly-matched teams, each contending with foul trouble to key players. Ipswich showcased resilience, overcoming challenges to emerge victorious in a fitting conclusion to this year's competition.
MVP Harriet Welham Shines: Harriet Welham stole the spotlight, earning the MVP award after an outstanding performance. Leading all scorers with an impressive 34 points, Welham delivered a stellar performance in the final seven minutes, contributing five assists, four rebounds, and four steals. Her clutch plays in the fourth quarter, including two remarkable deep three-pointers, sealed the win for Ipswich and ignited celebrations among their dedicated fans.
Supporting Cast Steps Up: Yazmin Edwards and Christabel Osarobo both contributed 17 points and 11 rebounds each, while Olivia Forster added 17 points to bolster Welham's stellar performance.
TVC's Resilient Effort: Thames Valley Cavaliers fought valiantly in their Cup defense, with Kat Goldsby leading the charge with 24 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, and 5 steals. Despite their efforts, Ipswich emerged victorious.
Strategic Half-Time Approach: Ipswich head coach Nick Drane revealed his halftime strategy, emphasizing the team's focus on rebounding and defending the paint. Acknowledging Thames Valley's size and strength, Drane highlighted the importance of competing, staying out of foul trouble, and bringing home the win in the late stages of the game.
Reflecting on a recent loss to TVC in the D1W game, Drane shared, "Losing last week's D1W game to TVC did us a favor in the sense that we know they can beat us. We're having a pretty good season in the league, and I think if you start to believe all the noise, I don't think it does you any favors as a team."
He concluded, "We know how good Thames Valley is, so when they beat us last week, it proved that we needed to be at our best to beat them here."
Congratulations to Endeavour Ipswich Basketball Club on their well-deserved victory, marking an unforgettable moment in WNBL history!