BASKETBALL officials say they will persevere with a three-day format for the Warrnambool Senior Seaside Basketball Carnival.
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Tournament committee member Rebel Noter said feedback from players and spectators was overwhelmingly positive for the format.
A public holiday yesterday meant officials could spread games across three days, instead of scheduling matches on Friday nights like they have in the past.
“They weren’t playing at 8am in the morning and trying to cram in a lot of games to make it through to the final,” Noter said.
“Being able to play two or three games on a day makes it a lot more comfortable and better basketball.
“There were some good-quality finals played today which was very pleasing.
“The last couple of years we’ve had to run on Friday night after 6pm and start them early Saturday morning and Sunday morning.
“This has been a lot more comfortable with a full three days.”
Noter said the carnival, organised by Warrnambool Basketball Incorporated, had been a success.
Melbourne Ballers defeated Melbourne University Black 62-44 in the final of the men’s A grade.
Cranbourne Dragons took the honours in the highest female grade, women’s A reserve, by beating Melbourne University Black 39-37.
Noter said the carnival would not have been possible without the work of the WBI sub-committee which organised the weekend.
He said the inclusion of an under 23 men’s grade had been popular while a second masters grade, for 35 to 40-year-olds, could become reality.
But injuries — namely fractured wrists — was a painful reminder of the lows that contrasted the on-court highs.
“It was one of those weekends, we had three fractured wrists across the weekend,” Noter said.
“One girl sprained her ankle and when she fell she broke her wrist. She was a bit in the wars.”
afawkes@fairfaxmedia.com.au