THE underdog nearly, but not quite, achieved an upset in the grand final of a Border basketball competition that attracted 87 registered players.
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Ladder leader Royal Blue Bucket Heads claimed the decider of Midnight Basketball Wodonga 48-34 against Red Midnight Reds, which had been bottom of the table before the finals night.
Midnight Basketball Wodonga media manager Megan Pearce said all six teams competed in the evening at Wodonga Sports and Leisure Centre, with a round robin format determining the grand finalists.
Red Midnight Reds then led for most of the championship game before being overtaken by the eventual winner.
The grand final night earlier this month ended the eight-week tournament, but another series looked likely to begin in about five weeks.
“It’s going phenomenally,” Pearce said. “We received some really great feedback from all of the young people.”
Midnight Basketball is a national, community-run program held in a safe environment on Friday or Saturday nights for youths aged between 12 and 18 who are considered at risk.
Each night includes nutritious food and a compulsory life skills workshop.
“The whole premise is that we have the young people at home safely in their doors by midnight,” Pearce said.
“We drive them all home by bus and watch them walk in their door so we know that they’re safe and sound.”
Committee chairwoman Belinda Fenn congratulated all the participants, both players and volunteers.
“Midnight Basketball is a great recipe for success, building trust and friendships and opportunities for the future for all of us,” she said. “It is great to see everyone being energetic and having fun.”