Moss Vale Magic will play its last game of the 2018 Spalding NSW Waratah Youth League season.
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The team will host league leaders, Shoalhaven Tigers in a traditional derby at the Moss Vale Basketball Stadium on August 4.
Magic came off on a 77-70 win on the road against Macarthur Heat last weekend.
The team have been in good form in recent weeks after three wins from their past four matches.
Players will be looking to make it three wins in a row against the Tigers and secure top spot on the ladder after they suffered a shock loss to the Bathurst Goldminers 104-100 in Bathurst, which was only their second loss in 21 games this season.
The recent return to the court by Magic power forward Zac Ottosson from injury has coincided with the recent run of wins by Magic and he aims to continue his good form this season where he had averaged 17.3 points per game.
Ottosson, together with point guard Carter Reeves who is the leading scorer in the competition with 482 points at an average of 22.95 points per game, will be key players for Magic, along with the teams captain Isaac Martin who has a reputation as one of the best defenders in the league.
Martin will be called upon to try and shut down the Tigers potent offensive threats led by Bruce Ozolins (12.5 ppg,) Riley O'Shanessy (18.81 ppg) and Kyle Leslie (14.53 ppg).
Whilst Magic have been regular visitors to the Waratah Finals series over the past four seasons, they are out of finals contention in 2018 after a season disrupted by injuries and suspensions.
The team will be looking to salvage something from the season with an upset win over the Tigers and are calling on all of its loyal fans to support them on the day.
Magic coach Kevin Campbell said he was looking forward to the local derby match up between these traditional rivals who have a long history of tough matches against each other on both sides of the Barrengarry Mountain.
"What a great way to finish the season up against a very good Tigers outfit who not only have been the benchmark of the competition all season and are the deserved favourites to win the championship this year but they now get to welcome Bruce Ozolins back into to the team for this game and he has had a stellar season playing for the Tigers Div 1 Mens State League Team this year"
"I have the utmost respect for the Tigers and their Head Coach Scott Balsar and have no doubt that he will have his team primed for this game heading into their finals campaign in front of what is expected to be a big crowd on Saturday however I kind of like the fact that we have the huge underdog tag. Basketball is a funny game sometimes,we are out of finals contention so with no pressure on us at all and nothing to lose we can just go out there and play with some freedom, be loose & hopefully shoot the ball as well as we have done in the past few games to send the boys off with an upset win at home"
The match will also provide an opportunity for fans to bid farewell to long-standing junior representative players Issacc Martin, Mitch Bancroft and Justin Sloggett who will play their last game.
It will take place at 12pm.
- Kevin Campbell, coach