Binar squads dominate inaugural Albany basketball tournament

Visiting team Binar have dominated the inaugural Albany basketball tournament, which attracted 11 teams on the weekend at the Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre.

Six teams from Albany competed while the visiting Binar brought two teams.

Rebels, who consisted of some players from the Tambellup and Gnowangerup areas, competed with two teams along with one team from Busselton.

Binar went through the tournament undefeated in both the men’s and women’s divisions.

Binar and Raiders under-19s did battle in both grand finals on Sunday but it was the visiting sides that emerged victorious.

A 35-point shooting display from Josh Kelly, first cousin to AFL footballer Tim Kelly, helped Binar secure the men’s title.

Raiders got off to a fast start scoring the first five points of the game and their lead grew to as much as 10 points at one stage in the first half but they were unable to control the classy opposition.

By half-time Binar had taken the lead 41-39.

Scoring dried up a little in the second half but Raiders could not get the margin below two points as Binar kept finding answers, finishing six-point winners in the end.

Kelly top-scored with 35 points, including six three points, while Kenny Griggs and Trey Lukacich both added eight points in the 65-59 triumph.

Albany centre Kalin Lane led the way with 14 points while dynamic duo Tyler Willmore and Keanu Weeden chipped in with 12 points each.

Binar dominated the Raiders under-19s team in the women’s decider, controlling the game from start to finish.

A strong start helped Binar led by 13 points at half-time and they never looked back, adding 38 points in the second half to win by 25 points and claim both titles.

Shaunece Jetta and Pricilla Kelly led the way for Binar with 20 and 18 points respectively.

Nardia Humphries (15 points) produced a strong game for Albany and was well supported by Ella Scamozzi (12).

Event organiser Vinnie Perich said the tournament was a huge success. “The ABA was very happy with carnival, with six men's and five ladies teams competing,”

Perich said“There was a high level standard of basketball played and we are hoping it becomes an annual event and we hope to invite plenty of local country towns next year.

The basketball committee members were huge in setting up and organising everything.”