Hooyah & Harden Up (The Decider)

Tuesday, March 25, 2025

"It was all about basketball, strictly business and NEVER personal."

This is the last HOOYAH/HARDEN UP column of the season. I’ve given out some praise and I’ve given out some shade. It was all about basketball, strictly business and NEVER personal. Thanks for reading.

TRIPLE HOOYAH ALERT:

HOOYAH – Trey Kell III saved his best for last and was dominant with 26 points, 11 rebounds and 7 dimes. OK TREY.

HOOYAH – William ‘Davo’ Hickey. The ‘unofficial’ Championship Series MVP just continues to impress. On the league’s biggest stage, Davo put on a magnificent performance with 21 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists.

HOOYAH – The entire Illawarra Hawks team, coaching staff, support staff, front office, and my former championship teammate and GM of Basketball, Mat Campbell. Led the league from Go to Whoa and on their home court, ended a 24-year championship drought. ILL – A – WARRA! (in my croaky singing voice!)

HARDEN UP – To the fans who booed Melbourne United captain Chris Goulding during his post-match speech. It’s one thing to give it to Chris during the game, but when the game is over and you’re the NBL25 Champions, it was totally classless. Be better.

WHAT WENT RIGHT – Trey Kell III showed up and showed out, they played their fast-paced high-octane style and United couldn’t keep up.

WHAT WENT WRONG – NOTHIN!

DOUBLE HOOYAH ALERT:

HOOYAH – Defensive Player of the Year Shea Ili made his return and was brilliant with 20 points, 6 assists, 4 steals and ZERO turnovers.

HOOYAH – Matthew Dellavedova didn’t have his best game of the series, but he was all class by acknowledging that he was not worthy of the Larry Sengstock Trophy. The first thing he said was “Davo this is yours”, then proceeded to walk through the crowd to hand Davo Hickey the award. A class act.

HARDEN UP – I know he copped an injury, but Marcus Lee failed to have an impact with 4 points and 2 rebounds.

WHAT WENT RIGHT – Shea Ili returned and balled out. They got the scoreboard ticking over with 104 points.

WHAT WENT WRONG – Got absolutely monstered on the glass, losing the rebounding count by a whopping 23, and allowed the Hawks to run up the score with 114 points.
NBL

HOOYAH – Congrats on another fantastic season - this league is simply incredible and world class!

HARDEN UP – The Championship Series MVP can NEVER EVER come from the losing team. That is all.