Moss Vale dominated the competition which is open to all division two teams around the state, winning their three round matches against fancied opponents before going down in the final to Hills Hornets from Sydney.

The team’s performance was led by Tom Meyers who top scored at the competition in Terrigal, with an average of 29 points per game.

His teammates Dayne Hutchinson (19) and Blake Channells (17) were also in the top ten scorers.

Coach Rick Davies said the team was “extremely happy” to have made the state cup final and beat some good teams along the way.

The Magic’s first game was against Hornsby Spiders and Moss Vale started below par to trail 46-39 at halftime and by more than ten points at three-quarter time.

But the Highlanders showed spirit and determination to come back and secure an 85-83 win.

Moss Vale faced Newcastle in their second match and the two teams went basket-for-basket before the Magic pulled away to win 91-64.

Coffs Harbour had no match for Moss Vale’s speed in the third game and the Magic ran out with an easy 102-59 win.

In the other pool, Illawarra, who had been Moss Vale’s nemeses in the Southern Junior League all season, lost to Hill Hornets which meant Moss Vale would line up against the Sydneysiders in the decider.

Davies said the Magic were happy to play someone different in the final as they had faced off against Illawarra in the NSW country final and SJL final already this season.

The coach said the final was a tough match with Hills nailing three-pointers from all over the court.

“The referees were also quite whistle happy with a foul count of Moss Vale 28, Hills 16 during the game with two Magic key players getting fouled out,” Davies said.

Hills took the game 89-70 after leading 44-40 at halftime.

The under-18s’ season finishes with Barrengarry finals next weeked.