BASKETBALL
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THE cream of top Australian basketball talent was in the Highlands on the weekend.
National Basketball League (NBL) teams Perth Wildcats, Sydney Kings and Illawarra Hawks took part in a pre-season double header.
The two-day event at the Moss Vale Basketball Stadium attracted more than 1000 Highlanders and visitors.
Saturday and Sunday marked the first time that a NBL pre-season double header had been held in Moss Vale.
The Wildcats negotiated a deal with the Moss Vale Basketball Association to play two matches.
Basketball fans were treated two fast and physical games.
The Kings took the honours on Saturday night with an 89-76 win over Perth.
The Wildcats bounced back on day two to record a 77-69 victory over the Illawarra Hawks.
Moss Vale Basketball Association board member Rick Davies said the NBL showcase was a success.
"The three teams were happy with how it went and we've received good feedback on Facebook," he said.
"We had about 550 to 600 people there on Saturday and about 450 to 500 people on Sunday.
"The standard of play was very good - they didn't hold back and the players went all out."
Davies said the association would look at holding similar events again in the future.
"The Wildcats were very impressed and they could come back next year," he said.
"We showed that we can host this kind of thing and we have plan to install get more courts in the pipeline."
VIDEO: The Illawarra Hawks warm up during the half-time break in Sunday's National Basketball League pre-season game at Moss Vale. Video by Josh Bartlett