The Moss Vale boys defeated the Liverpool-Macarthur Razorbacks 76-65 at the Moss Vale Basketball Stadium on March 4. 

A large crowd turned up to support the Highlands players, and players kept them on the edge of their seats with a thrilling display. 

Moss Vale Magic head coach Kev Campbell said the crowd were a big factor in the team’s win. 

“No doubt the crowd was a big help to the team in the last quarter when things were tense,” he said. 

The Magic led 17-16 at quarter time but scores locked 38-38 at the half time break. 

The Razorbacks kept themselves in contest with some strong outside shooting, which forced the Magic to dig deep.

After the break the Magic took back their lead but couldn’t quite shake off the tenacious Razorback team.

“They kept making shots when it counted which kept them in the contest,” Campbell said. 

The Magic kept a slender lead heading into the final quarter with a 53-52 score. 

The Magic lifted their intensity on defence and were able to restrict the Razorbacks to just 13 points for the period.

On the back of this defensive effort they were able to make the big plays when it counted and scored 23 points themselves to take the win 76-65.

The Magic scoring was led by Zac Ottosson with a game high 27 points.

Billy Campbell scored 24 points and Josh Watts had a fine all-round game in his first Youth League match for the Magic with 14 points.

The Magic have the bye this upcoming weekend and Campbell said the team would concentrate on preparing for their next match.

The Magic will play against the Bathurst Goldminers at the Moss Vale Basketball Stadium on Saturday, March 18.