The Grade 6 Mixed Hoop Time team had an amazing journey, showing awesome teamwork, determination, and school spirit every step of the way. They played so well throughout their pool games, working together and supporting each other on and off the court.

The quarterfinal was a nail-biter, with Mason McVarnock hitting an incredible three-pointer in the final seconds to win by just one point – a moment we’ll never forget!

In the semi-final, the team faced Templestowe PS, who had beaten them in the SSV state grand finale, but this time, they came out on top with an impressive win to secure their spot in the grand finale. Against Blackburn Lake PS, the team put on another fantastic performance, playing their hearts out in a tough and exciting game to become State Champions!

This was such a special achievement, and it all came down to the way the team worked together, supported each other, and gave it their all.

They represented Woodlands Primary School so well, and we’re super proud of every single player!

WOODLANDS ARE STATE CHAMPS!!!

Hoop time and SSV Basketball

Semester 2 was a great experience for our two State Finalist teams. Our Hoop time team won it all!

Our first game in the state finals for the Hoop time team was against Swan Hill, and it was a blowout. The next game was similar, but the toughest challenge came in our fourth game, which we won by five points. Next, we faced Templestowe in our first final, a team we had lost to in the SSV Grand Final by one point the previous year. This time, we won by five points!

In the second final, we were ahead for most of the game, except for the final minute. With five seconds left, we inbounded the ball, drove, and passed it to the corner, where Mason McVarnock was waiting. He caught the ball with just over a second to go and drained a three-pointer to win us the game!

We made it to the State Final! Our opponents, Blackburn South, were a tough team, but we ended up winning by 7 points! Woodlands are Hoop time State Champs! Big congratulations to everyone!

In the School Sport Victoria (SSV) competition, we won every game except the Grand Final. In the finals, we won the first game by 12 points. The second game was super close and went back and forth throughout, but we came out on top.

In the Grand Final, we started off very well. By halftime, we were ahead. However, we struggled in the second half. The game was close and fluctuated throughout. In the final 30 seconds, we were up by one point. We were dribbling up the court, trying to waste some time. With 10 seconds left, one of our guards turned the ball over, and they easily scored a layup to take a one-point lead.

We called a timeout and advanced the ball. With about five seconds left, we drove toward the basket but couldn't get a shot up. We kicked the ball out for a jump shot, but it hit the back rim and rimmed out. We ended up finishing second, but it was still a great effort from the team.

Massive congratulations to everyone who played!

By Chase Johnson

RAINBOW AWARD