THE Portland Basketball Association has capped off a successful return of the South West Classic tournament with some exciting grand finals on Monday.

After a long hiatus due to COVID the tournament returned in impressive fashion this year with 14 men’s teams, spread across two grades, and three women’s teams battling it out.

As well as the general competition a three-point shoot-out was held on the Saturday night with 28 entrants fighting for the $500 cash prize.

Staged in a knockout format, Melbourne’s Patty Green claimed the prize.

Green was also part of the winning team in the B grade men’s division – the top grade available – with Zingers defeating Harry’s Lodge in yesterday’s grand final.

Zingers were too strong for young local side Harry’s Lodge and earned the 86-68 win in the grand final.

The two sides had a thrilling first encounter, 69-66, in the first-round match up on Saturday leading to an exciting grand final contest.

Zingers were too strong for their young opponents and used their height inside the key and ability to shoot from range to earn the top prize.

The winners had plenty of contributors across the court with three players scoring more than 20 points – Benny Dunn posting 30 points (including seven three-pointers), Brendan Hughes 27 and Green 22.

Zingers were always in control during the 40 minutes despite some impressive efforts from Sam Peters (22 points) to close the margin.

B grade women

In the B grade women’s competition it was a contest between two local sides in the grand final with Colby Jack taking the title off the back of a 36-point performance from Meg Schultz.

Colby Jack went through the tournament undefeated with the three-team competition leaving teams to play each other twice before the finals.

In the grand final match Clueless were in charge early in the game moving out to an 11-point lead in the first half with Sarah Tunstall and Jemma Nelson doing the damage in offence.

Despite the early efforts of Clueless, Colby Jack lifted in the second half with Schultz providing plenty of attack on the basket to get her side in the lead.

Clueless attempted to shut down the offensive momentum of Colby Jack but were unable to slow their attack with Colby Jack running the game out in the lead 58-46.

C grade men

The biggest division of the weekend saw Late Night 3s defeated Mill Park Tropics in the grand final, 65-52.

Local side Late Night 3s lifted in the second half after scores were locked together 19-all at half time.

In the second half Late Night 3s increased their offensive movement with brothers Jaydon Stiles (23 points) and Josh Stiles (14 points) attacking the basket.

Late Night 3s managed to take the lead late in the second half and run away with the 13-point win.