The Moss Vale Magic have secured a position in the finals of the NSW Waratah Youth League Basketball Competition.
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The Magic will head to finals after a comfortable 71-53 win over the Hilsl Hornets last Saturday at the Moss Vale Basketball Stadium.
Despite missing their two leading scorers this season with Billy Campbell sidelined with an ankle injury and Zac Ottosson currently playing tournaments in teh USA, the entire squad lifted for this all important match.
In the absence of Campbell, Josh Watts who is in his rookie season, stepped into the role of point guard and ran the team like clockwork.
He displayed a cool head and a level of maturity and composure that is not normally expected from a player in his first year at this level.
Watts was also a constant threat on offence knocking down some important shots of his own on the way to scoring 13 points for the game.
Vice Captain Connor Wroe was the go to man for the Magic in his finest game of the season.
Wroe made his way to a game high 23 points to earn the MVP honours on the night, whilst Brandon De Souza also got going with some great outside shooting on his way to 15 points.
Brad Frost made a welcome return from injury and he injected plenty of intensity into the Magic defence.
He made it his personal mission to shut down Hornets star player and leading scorer Kyron Ili, and limit his impact on the game whilst Alex Davenport was again strong on the boards and hustled for every loose ball.
Dylan Palmer Quigg also made his return for the Magic and knocked down an important three point shot late in the third quarter to snuff out a mini comeback by the Hornets.
Carter Reeves showed plenty of hustle on defence.
Daniel Field was injected into the game in the third quarter and made an immediate impact, getting to the free throw line with his first touch.
Field was hit with an ankle injury midway through the quarter and he was unable to return to the court so it is hoped that he will recover in time for this weekends game.
Despite early foul trouble and being out sized by the Hornets 6' 9" centre, new Captain Rhys Pryor was strong on the boards and was able to keep the Hornets big men in check and play out the game sitting on four fouls to lead the Magic to their first win under his watch.
The victory secured a spot in the top six for the Magic but more importantly ensures they will now finish in the top three of Pool A.
What is not known at this stage is whether the Magic will get to play a home final in front of the Magic faithful on Saturday, August 5 or if they will be playing on the road against either the Sydney Comets or the St George Saints.
It would appear at this stage that in order to get the home final, the Magic will need the Sydney Uni Lions to get the upset win over the Bathurst Goldminers at the Sydney Uni Aquatic Centre on Saturday afternoon and then the Magic will need to defeat the St George Saints on Saturday night at Hurstville.
Coach Kev Campbell said he hoped the results would go their way this weekend to get a homer finals match.
"We would love nothing better than playing a finals match at home in front of our supporters who have been sensational this year,” he said.
“They are a big reason why we are undefeated at home this season with a 9-0 record here at the ‘House of Magic’.
“I think that any team coming here to play us no matter where they are on the ladder knows they are in for a very tough night at the office.”