Pumas claw their way to title as Harry Evans comes up trumps in Battle of the Buccs

A change of scenery can work wonders, and for Pumas, a change of opponent brought them the Geraldton Amateur Basketball Association title as they came out on top in an epic grand final encounter with Hawks on Friday night

Pumas won their first title since 2019 after falling short in back-to-back finals against Olympians in the previous two seasons, weathering a late Hawks fightback before winning 81-72.

The game was tied at 71 with two minutes to go and the stage was set for a hero to take command.

Enter Evans who used some delicious footwork to scythe his way through the Hawks for huge back-to-back baskets to put Pumas up by four.

Then Robert Griehcen picked up his fifth foul on a tough call and when Pumas sunk the subsequent free throws Pumas were up by six with a minute left.

Hawks had one last shot but missed back-to-back three attempts in the final minute as Pumas ended up nine-point winners.

Evans was named MVP finishing with 22 points and said after back-to-back losses it was a much better feeling this time around.

“It feels so good, last year there weren’t many fans but this year to have a big crowd back and perform in front of them it felt so much better,” he said.

In what was billed as a battle of the Buccs, Fletcher Klasztorny got the first points for Hawks. But Pumas made the better start thanks to Tomas Dobson who was on fire early with his outside-three shooting.

He was well supported inside by Farren Pariftt who made some strong driving runs to the rim as the Hawks were just a little bit off.

Their shooting was below par and Pumas were that little bit tighter on defence not allowing Hawks to use their strength to drive their way to buckets.

Pumas had the lead in double digits before Hawks found their mojo hitting three threes in a row as Theo Bennet found his range.

It lifted the Hawks as they stabilised with teams trading shots.

Flynn Dillon showed strength to break Hawks lines while Evans was soaking up the freebies with six from the line in the first half.

But Blanchett was beginning to find space and with two minutes until half-time they managed to tie the game back up.

But Pumas would take the lead into the main break with a couple of late baskets 47-43.

The second half continued to see Pumas maintain their advantage as Hawks were struggling to hit their close-range shots with Pumas defending hard.

It was compounded by Greichen picking up his fourth foul early on in the second-half and being benched.

Dobson moved inside to hit some mid-range jumpers while Hunt was getting plenty of the ball.

Hawks could never seem to break the five-point margin until, with 10 minutes to go, Greichen was brought back on and promptly hit a three to finally get Hawks to within a basket.

Their shooting was still below their best but Hawks had managed to hang in there and with 5:30 left on the clock Hawks hit the lead for the first time since the opening basket.

The crowd was now in full voice cheering on every shot as the teams went blow for blow but in the end, Evans and Pumas were too strong.

“We all know each other’s moves so it’s pretty hard but it was a good battle tonight, it was back and forth,” Evans said.

“In the end, I think from us it came down to keeping our composure slowing it down and making sure we get those stops in defence and hitting our shots.”

The final margin is a disservice to the Hawks who so very nearly ended their 20-year title drought in front of a packed Activewest Stadium.

It is a bitter disappointment for Hawks who had looked the best team all year and taken out the minor premiership but lost three games in a row to the Pumas to see their drought-breaking hopes slip away.

A despondent Ryan Blanchett spoke to the crowd following the loss.

“I know you guys over in the Hawks section have been waiting a long time and sorry we couldn’t get it done today,” he said.

“Pumas, you boys played a hell of a game and thoroughly deserve the win.”