Tornadoes take league by storm

THE Terang Tornadoes are grand final bound after cruising to victory in the Country Basketball League semi-finals on Saturday.

There was more than 225 people in attendance to watch the Terang Tornadoes punch their ticket to this weekend’s Country Basketball League grand final.

In excess of 225 attendees filled the Terang and District Indoor Sport and Recreation Centre over the weekend to watch as the home side posted a 12-point victory over the Portland Coasters.

The Tornadoes surged to a fast start thanks to precise ball movement, lethal accuracy behind the arc from Tyler Vickers and stifling defensive efforts, leading 27-15 at the break.

The second quarter was much more tightly contested as the Coasters kept the Tornadoes in check, only extending the lead by four points.

But the momentum continued strong in the third as Terang extended its lead a further eight-points, heading into the final quarter 70-46.

Time management saw the scoring stem to a halt in the fourth as Portland showed grit to piece together a 27-15 swing, but it wasn’t to be for the visitors as the Tornadoes cruised to a 85-73 victory.

Ryley Hutchins led the scoring for the Tornadoes with 22 points while Tyler Vickers dropped an efficient 20 and Cory Jones added 16.

The grand final, which is set to be played in Horsham this Saturday, December 6 at the Horsham Basketball Stadium, will see the top-of-the-table sides clash.

The Tornadoes will take on the Mt Gambier Lakers, who finished the season top of the ladder.

The two sides clashed earlier this season in round three when the Lakers cruised to a 42-point win, but the Tornadoes will be looking to reverse fortunes in the big game.