SUZY Batkovic reaffirmed her reputation as one of Australian basketball’s all-time greats by skippering Townsville Fire to a resounding 70-57 victory in the grand final series decider against Melbourne Boomers in Townsville.
Townsville took the best-of-three series 2-1, after a 69-64 win at home in game one, followed by Melbourne’s 58-57 comeback in game two.
It was Townsville’s third grand final win in four seasons.
The 37-year-old Novocastrian also won titles with the AIS and Sydney Panthers. Only Nat Hurst, a six-time champion with Canberra Capitals, has been crowned more often. Batkovic was named the most valuable player of the finals after scoring 16, 23 and 28 points.
“I’m just so proud of the girls and so happy that everything we’ve worked so hard for has paid off,” Batkovic said in a post-match interview.
It was a perfect season for Batkovic, named the league’s MVP for a record sixth time and also recalled to the Opals squad.
