Donnelly’s Bears win NBL1 East championship

Flames’ Emma Donnelly and her Norths Bears took out the NBL1 East title on Saturday, edging Manly-Warringah 71-56 at Sydney Uni Sports and Aquatics Centre.

The Bears raced out to a 20-13 lead at the first break, which they extended to 41-25 at half-time.

The Sea Eagles won the third quarter by three points (21-18) before the Bears closed out with a 12-10 final term, to secure the 15-point triumph.

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In other NBL1 news, Kings young gun Zac Gattorna has added another piece of silverware to his collection after helping Geraldton win the NBL1 West championship on Saturday.

In the decider at the Bendat Basketball Centre, Gattorna tallied 13 points, three rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block as the Buccaneers downed Joondalup 86-80.

This caps off a strong NBL1 West season for Gattorna, who was also named in the competition’s Select Team to take on the Perth Wildcats in a pair of fixtures.

Both Donnelly and Gattorna will now both turn their attention to the weekend’s NBL1 National Finals at Western Australia’s HBF Arena.

Donnelly’s Bears will battle NBL1 North winners Northside on Friday, while Gattorna’s Buccs will play NBL1 East men’s champions Sutherland later that same night.

Stay up to date with all the club’s off-season news here.