Powerful Parfitt - North Adelaide Rockets Steve Parfitt was huge with a near bacon double double of 19 points and 20 rebounds that took his Waatu against UTS all the way to the edge of near euphoria - All photos by Sofia Allesandro via Uni Sports Australia
The Waatu Men were right up to it in their eyeballs at the end of the contest only separated by some brilliance from an NBL1 East star avenging his way back into the contest in the second half – the Waatu falling agonisingly short of scoring the upset of the finals going down 88-81 at the Narrandjeri Stadium in Melbourne.
The Waatu started strong thanks to a huge opening quarter from North Adelaide Rocket Steve Parfitt (Criminology) with 10 points and five rebounds including three offensive. Parfitt along with West Adelaide Bearcat Lachlan Hunter (Civil Engineering) saw Alex Higgins-Titsha (Business) pick up two early fouls and sit on the bench after five minutes limiting his impact – but both Sutherland Sharks in Aaron Waban (Health) and Angus Lake (Business/Law) dropped nine in the opening term to only have UTS trail 20-22 at quarter time.
The Waatu took over the start of the second to jump into a 0-10 run led by Sturt Sabres Harry Reemst (Chemical Engineer) and Toby Hunt (Mechanical Engineering) who dropped 10 for the quarter but a fightback led by Waban and captain from the Sydney Comets Thomas Buvac (Health) who dropped 13 points for the term. The margin was whittled away to leave it all square at the half 47-47 apiece.
Higgins-Titsha returned in the second half and immediately became a problem getting himself going with smart aggressive shot selection and play to go from a donut at the half to eight in the quarter, but the Waatu kept chipping away never letting them get beyond a five-point lead with Hunter producing some clean finishing to leave it a tight 67-62 going into the final term.
Reemst rose in the final term to keep the Waatu in touch right till the final minutes – the Waatu with multiple shots and attempts to cause the upset. The NBL1 East youth star Higgins-Titsha could not however be contained and would not be denied as he rolled for 12 points in the final quarter and finished the match with a one-handed slam to seal and stave off an almighty terrifying scare from the Waatu in the finish.
Buvac was best through four quarters finishing with 26 points including four of five from deep, five rebounds and three assists and Higgins-Titsha had 20 second half points at 60 percent to go with nine rebounds. Waban controlled the UTS tempo with 19 points and six rebounds and Lake had a solid all-round game with 12 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
The Waatu’s best was Reemst with the point guard finishing with 25 points and 10 rebounds and Parfitt nearly engulfed a bacon double double with 19 points and 20 rebounds. Hunter collected 18 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and three steals in his very valuable contribution and Hunt despite missing some great looking shot attempts from outside finished with 13 points.
The Waatu’s first final was one to remember and getting to call it and witness it live was a privilege and a pleasure for this league. They’ll be back with new players plus plenty of returning ones in season 2024 but have shown that Adelaide once again can take it right up to the big institutes of the eastern states…
Watch the replay of the Waatu’s first ever elimination quarter final against UTS today on Uni Sports TV from Narrandjeri Stadium in Melbourne.
QF Men UTS 88 (Buvac 26, Higgins-Titsha 20, Waban 19, Lake 12) defeated AU Waatu 81 (Reemst 25, Parfitt 19, Hunter 18, Hunt 13)
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CROSS OVER DRIBBLE 