Two Albany teams take country champs titles but Denmark’s women just miss out after topping ladder in Perth

Two of the eight teams representing Albany at the Belt Up Basketball WA Country Championships came home with titles after three days of competition in Perth over the long weekend. Albany Raiders’ men’s teams in division two-three and division five claimed the top of the podium, while Denmark’s women led the ladder in division three but fell short in the grand final. Raiders 2, competing in men’s division two-three were third of nine teams after their round-robin matches, notching up six wins from their eight outings. However, in their semifinal they knocked off Margaret River 53-42 and then beat Broome in a tight grand final which they eventually edged 61-57. David Arthur, with 22 points, and Malcolm van Burgel, with 16, were the top scorers in the showpiece. Albany 4, playing in division five, topped their pool with six wins and were then too good for the Manjimup Timberwolves. They won the final 52-41 with Rory Sutherland hitting 13 points. Albany’s top men finished fifth in the senior men’s championship, ending their pool matches without a win but managing a 43-43 draw with Busselton Blazers in their last game. That allowed them to avoid the wooden spoon on percentage, with Busselton the basement outfit. They endured several close losses and were 37-36 ahead against Bunbury Bears with a minute to go only to be sunk by a three-pointer at the death to go down 39-37. The same thing happened against Busselton as Albany led 43-40 until Lucas Kemp scored three points to level things up. In division four, Albany 3 finished bottom of pool A after managing a single draw, 36-36 against Wongan Hills 1, Jordan Tindale top-scoring with 10 points. Denmark’s men were fourth in pool A with the contest against Albany going the Magpies’ way, convincingly 65-34. West Rogers was unstoppable for Denmark with 23 points while Tobyn Lowry was the best for the Raiders with 11. The Raiders’ masters’ side were second in Pool A, losing to ladder leaders Bunbury Bears 45-44 to miss out on the grand final. Justin Benson scored 13 points in the defeat as the Bears held out for the last three minutes as Raiders tried to level. Denmark’s top women’s team led the division three ladder with a winning run that included a 28-21 victory over Albany Raiders 2. Ashlee Kerr grabbed nine points for the Magpies against their local rivals. Denmark went on to beat Collie 26-24 in the semifinal but lost 25-18 to Karratha Cyclones 25-18 in the grand final. The Raiders were eighth overall after two wins. Albany’s top women’s team were fifth in division one-two after two wins and three losses in their pool matches. They beat Busselton Blazers and Mandurah Magic but went down to Karratha Cyclones, Eaton Eagles and Bunbury Bears. Dakota Bremner did sterling work throughout. In women’s division four, Albany 3 were seventh in pool B while Mt Barker were eighth in pool A. Albany beat Dampier Marinettes for their sole victory while Mt Barker saw off bottom side Jerramungup Eagles.