Wagga Heat’s premiership candle has finally flickered out after Colin Reed’s men found themselves on the wrong end of a 99-61 qualifying final result.
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Southern Conference rivals Bankstown proved a bridge too far when the two sides met on Saturday, running out 38-point victors to end the Heat’s title hopes.
The Bruins led early and built a 26-point advantage at the main break that proved insurmountable for the visitors.
Reed noted his team were “in it for the first eight minutes or so” before falling away.
“Everyone had prepared the right way and there was a good vibe around the team … but in the end we just didn’t show up to play,” Reed said.
“I guess that’s what happens in finals – you get two teams turning up and only one walks away with a win.
The veteran coach pointed to a lack of on-court cohesion as key to their demise.
“Basketball really is a team sport and you can’t rely on individuals to do the job for you out there,” Reed said.
“We didn’t play as a team and we didn’t execute and that’s why it ended up being the biggest blowout we’ve had against Bankstown.
“It really was a genuine Wagga capitulation.”
Strong showings from Jacob Edwards, Jaydan Oliver and Zac Maloney gave Heat fans something to smile about while a point-scoring cameo from Heat development player Eddie Merkel shows there’s plenty to like about next season.
The Heat edged northern conference rivals Central Coast Crusaders 97-87 at ‘The Incinerator’ last weekend to book their berth in the qualifiers but that’s the last game they’ll feature in this season.
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