Seven teams. Six Grand Finals.
The Eastern Suns proudly concluded their 2026 WABL campaign with seven teams competing across six Grand Finals, highlighting the hard work, commitment and development of our junior basketball program throughout the season.
With an all-Suns Grand Final in the U12 Boys Division 6, a grand final secured and several closely contested encounters, the weekend provided plenty of memorable moments for our players, coaches, families and supporters.
From thrilling comebacks to outstanding individual performances, our teams represented the club with determination and pride.
GRAND FINAL RESULTS
| Division | Result | Score |
| U12 Boys Div 6 | Team 3 Defeated Team 4 | 45-38 |
| U16 Boys Div 3 | Lost to Lakeside Lightning | 62-65 |
| U16 Girls Div 3 | Lost to Willetton Tigers | 35-49 |
| U18 Boys Div 6 | Lost Hills Raiders | 96-103 |
| U18 Girls Div 2 | Lost to Warwick Senators | 72-94 |
| U18 Girls Div 4 | Lost to Cockburn Cougars | 53-71 |
THE GAME RECAPS
U12 Boys Division 6
Eastern Suns Team 3 defeated Eastern Suns Team 4, 45–38
The U12 Boys Division 6 Grand Final was a special occasion for the Eastern Suns, with two of our own teams going head-to-head for the Grand Final in a closely contested encounter.
Team 3 made the stronger start, taking a narrow 14–12 lead into the first break. Team 4 responded in the second quarter, edging ahead 26–25 at half-time before extending their advantage to five points early in the third quarter. Despite Team 3’s efforts to close the gap, Team 4 maintained a 34–31 lead heading into the final period.
Team 4 extended their advantage to 38–33 in the fourth quarter, but Team 3 produced a decisive finish. A 12–0 run turned the game around, with Team 3 taking the lead at 40–38 before closing out a 45–38 victory to claim the Division 6 premiership.
Blake Bell led the scoring for Team 3 with 14 points, supported by Max Paul with nine. For Team 4, Emmanuel Hauraki and Andrei Glogovac contributed 10 points apiece.
Congratulations to Team 3 on their Grand Final Win and to Team 4 on a fantastic season as Grand Finalists. Having two Eastern Suns teams competing for the same championship is a wonderful achievement for the club and a testament to the development of our junior players.
U16 Boys Division 3
Eastern Suns Team 2 lost to Lakeside Lightning, 62–65
The Eastern Suns U16 Boys Team 2 came agonisingly close to claiming the Division 3 premiership, falling just three points short against Lakeside Lightning in a thrilling Grand Final.
The Suns made a strong start, establishing a 19–14 lead at quarter-time. Lakeside responded in the second period, outscoring the Suns 20–11 to take a 34–30 advantage into half-time. The Lightning continued to build momentum in the third quarter, extending their lead to 54–46 heading into the final break.
Facing an eight-point deficit, the Suns mounted an impressive fourth-quarter comeback. A determined offensive effort saw them erase Lakeside’s advantage, with Callum Hedditch connecting from beyond the arc to level the scores at 62–62.
However, Lakeside managed to edge ahead in the closing stages, holding on for a narrow 65–62 victory despite the Suns winning the final quarter 16–11.
Billy Cooper and Samuel Nguyen led the scoring for the Suns with 16 points apiece, while Asten Lund contributed 11 points.
Although the result wasn’t the one they had hoped for, the boys demonstrated tremendous resilience to fight their way back into contention. Congratulations to the entire team and coaching staff on reaching the Grand Final and representing the Eastern Suns with pride.
U16 Girls Division 3
Eastern Suns Team 1 lost to Willetton Tigers, 35–49
The Eastern Suns U16 Girls Team 1 showed determination in their Division 3 Grand Final against Willetton Tigers, but ultimately fell short in a 49–35 defeat.
Willetton made a strong start, establishing a 21–9 lead at the first break. The Suns struggled to find their offensive rhythm in the second quarter, with the Tigers extending their advantage to 31–15 at half-time.
However, the Suns responded impressively after the main break. A much-improved third-quarter performance saw them outscore Willetton 14–7, with Victoria Mathiang contributing seven points during the period. The Suns reduced the deficit to nine points, trailing 38–29 heading into the final quarter.
Despite their efforts to continue the comeback, Willetton regained control in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Suns 11–6 to secure the premiership.
Victoria Mathiang led the Suns with 11 points, while Skylar Geary contributed eight.
Although the result didn’t go their way, the girls deserve recognition for their second-half response and their achievement in reaching the Grand Final. Congratulations to the players and coaching staff on a fantastic season.
U18 Boys Division 6
Eastern Suns Team 4 lost to Hills Raiders, 96–103
The Eastern Suns U18 Boys Team 4 produced a remarkable final-quarter performance in their Division 6 Grand Final, but ultimately fell seven points short against Hills Raiders in a high-scoring encounter.
Hills Raiders established an early advantage, taking a 29–19 lead into the first break. The Suns continued to battle through the second quarter, but Raiders extended their lead to 55–42 at half-time before a strong third period saw the deficit grow to 22 points, with the Suns trailing 81–59 heading into the final quarter.
Facing a significant challenge, the Suns refused to give in and delivered an outstanding offensive display in the final period. They poured in 37 points, with Tobie Freeth leading the charge as the Suns steadily reduced the deficit. A late three-pointer from Freeth brought the score to 100–91, before Taj Jude Medlar added another five points in the closing stages.
Despite outscoring Raiders 37–22 in the final quarter, the Suns ultimately ran out of time, with Hills holding on for a 103–96 victory.
Tobie Freeth led the Suns with an impressive 26 points, supported by Taj Jude Medlar with 14, Lucas Grey with 13 and Jermaine DeSilva with 12.
While the result was disappointing, the team’s determination to fight back from a 22-point deficit demonstrated their resilience. Congratulations to the players and coaching staff on reaching the Grand Final and producing a memorable finish to their season.
U18 Girls Division 2
Eastern Suns Team 1 lost to Warwick Senators, 72–94
The Eastern Suns U18 Girls Team 1 put together a determined performance in their Division 2 Grand Final, but a strong second half from Warwick Senators saw them claim the premiership with a 94–72 victory.
Warwick made the stronger start, taking an 18–14 lead into the first break. However, the Suns responded impressively in the second quarter, with Georgina Appleby and Rachel Moore helping turn the momentum in their favour. The Suns moved ahead 24–18 and later extended their advantage to seven points before Warwick fought back to take a narrow 41–38 lead into half-time.
The Suns continued to challenge early in the third quarter, closing the gap to just two points at 46–44 following a basket from Keiyanah Williamson. However, Warwick responded with a decisive scoring run, extending their lead to 68–54 heading into the final period.
Despite the Suns continuing to compete in the fourth quarter, Warwick maintained their advantage and secured a 94–72 victory.
Isla-Rose Gray led the Suns with 16 points, while Georgina Appleby and Charlotte Herbert contributed 13 points apiece. Rachel Moore added nine points.
Although the result wasn’t the one the team had hoped for, the girls demonstrated their ability to compete with the eventual premiers, particularly during an impressive second-quarter performance. Congratulations to the players and coaching staff on reaching the Division 2 Grand Final and representing the Eastern Suns with pride.
U18 Girls Division 4
Eastern Suns Team 2 lost to Cockburn Cougars, 53–71
The Eastern Suns U18 Girls Team 2 showed determination in their Division 4 Grand Final against Cockburn Cougars, but a strong opening quarter from their opponents proved difficult to overcome.
Cockburn established an early advantage, taking a 23–8 lead into the first break. The Suns responded positively in the second quarter, with Holly Marsh providing an important offensive contribution as the team narrowly lost the period 18–17. Despite the improved performance, Cockburn maintained a 41–25 advantage at half-time.
The Cougars extended their lead in the third quarter, outscoring the Suns 21–12 to take a 62–37 advantage into the final period.
However, the Suns refused to let the game slip away without a fight. They produced a strong fourth-quarter response, outscoring Cockburn 16–9, with Jade Roulston, Holly Marsh and Ashlyn Shields contributing to the scoring as the Suns reduced the final margin to 18 points.
Holly Marsh led the Suns with an impressive 27 points, accounting for more than half of the team’s total. Ashlyn Shields added nine points, while Jessica Prior contributed seven.
Although the result wasn’t the one the team had hoped for, their ability to respond after a difficult opening and finish the game strongly was a positive way to conclude their Grand Final campaign.
Congratulations to the players and coaching staff on reaching the Division 4 Grand Final and representing the Eastern Suns throughout the season.
THANK YOU TO OUR SUNS COMMUNITY
As we close the chapter on the 2026 WABL season, the Eastern Suns would like to congratulate all seven of our Grand Final teams on their achievements.
Reaching a Grand Final is the culmination of months of training, commitment and hard work. While only one of our teams was able to lift the trophy, every team has contributed to a season that our club can be proud of.
A special congratulations to our U12 Boys Team 3 on securing the Division 6 premiership, and to U12 Boys Team 4 on completing an all-Eastern Suns Grand Final.
We also extend our sincere thanks to our coaches, team managers, volunteers and families. Your dedication, time and support throughout the season make these opportunities possible for our young athletes.
To all our players, thank you for representing the Eastern Suns and for the effort you have put into your development throughout the year.
Congratulations to all our 2026 WABL Grand Finalists. We look forward to building on this season together.
GO SUNS!