UTD-407-115_Gameday_Program_2018-19_RND_1_V2

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MU CHAMPIONSHIP CELEBRATIONS It’s fair to say <strong>2018</strong> was a special season for Melbourne United. In a ruthless and standard-setting campaign, they claimed the <strong>2018</strong> NBL Championship in a thrilling and brutal five-game Grand Final series against the Adelaide 36ers. It was a season a tremendous growth – on and off the court – and tonight we celebrate the historic 2017/18 season by unveiling Melbourne United’s maiden Championship banner. For everyone involved – from the players to the fans – it will be a moment to savour and reflect on the Championship run. Thinking back to the season that was, there were so many highlights and games that will forever be entrenched in Melbourne basketball history. Finishing the regular season by winning 14 of the final 16 games provided the perfect springboard for United as they headed into the Finals. Included in that stunning streak were consecutive nail-biting road wins against the Illawarra Hawks and Perth Wildcats in early January.
Against the Hawks, United found themselves in an 18-point hole early in the third quarter, but the team – as they did all season long – didn’t give up and responded emphatically. A Carrick Felix steal started a run that would see Melbourne trim the deficit to nine points at the final break. Chris Goulding (22 points) and Tai Wesley (12 points and 9 rebounds) were instrumental down the stretch and United claimed the gritty win, 79-77. It was a win that summed up Melbourne’s season – determined and finding a way to the job done when in situations in season’s past, a loss would’ve been the more likely result. Another moment in time that is worth celebrating came courtesy of Josh Boone. Game two of the Finals match-up against the New Zealand Breakers was one for the ages. With scores tied at the conclusion of the fourth quarter, an intense overtime period was played and neither team could get the jump over the other. It all came down to one play. With scores level and 2.9 seconds left in overtime, United called a time-out to figure out how they were going to book their ticket to the Grand Final series. The now infamous play, called by Tai Wesley, was run to perfection. The play saw Ware deliver an inbounds pass to a cutting Josh Boone – past a crucial screen set by Peter Hooley – who drove hard to the rim and although Tom Abercrombie got a piece of his initial shot, Boone – as he so often does – stayed with it and drained the buzzer-beating, game-winning, seriesclinching shot as time expired. It was a monumental play from Boone that was the cherry on top of a phenomenal game that saw the big man post 33 points and 15 rebounds. The Grand Final series was everything NBL fans could’ve hoped for. Melbourne and Adelaide went head-to-head over five heated games. Emotions ran high and teams traded barbs all series long. Although there were some blow-outs, neither team took a backwards step and when it mattered most, Melbourne’s stars rose to the occasion. With it all on the line in a winner-takes-all game five at home, superstars Chris Goulding and Casper Ware ensured Melbourne came away with the silverware. United got the jump early and a 34-22 first quarter had the sold-out Hisense Arena crowd on their feet and feeling good about what the next three quarters could bring.
Page 1: R1 vs New Zealand Breakers // 14 Oc
Page 6 and 7: NBL IS BACK After celebrating last
Page 9 and 10: MELBOURNE UNITED Coach: Dean Vicker
Page 13 and 14: MELBOURNE UNITED 2018-19 NBL SEASON
Page 15: MELBOURNEUTD.COM.AU #wearemelbourne

UTD-407-115_Gameday_Program_2018-19_RND_1_V2

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