It was a familiar old faces to Elphin Sports Centre on Saturday that showed a new game the tricks of the trade.
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Both current and former Launceston Tornadoes all under the name of Azen teamed up to take out one of the 10 divisions on show at the Big Hustle three-on-three statewide tournament.
Zoe Mesman, Alicia Riley, Gemma Korpershoek and Jess Johnston took out the women’s open final 19-18.
Mesman said the thrilling win that ensured the side would head to the nationals in Geelong was unexpected.
“I haven’t done much three on three at all,” she said.
“For us, it’s a new concept that the juniors are getting into. I’ve coached them a bit, but not actually played. But I’m loving the atmosphere.”
Azen trailed for most of the 10-minute final, but hit the front towards the death.
Holding onto the one-shot advantage with 4.2 seconds left on the final play, rivals Blue Ray put up a last-gasp shot but bounced off the rim.
Blue Rays earlier had put away Mesman’s team easy in a 15-7 victory, but things changed for the state title.
“We got beaten by quite a bit the first time, so we knew they were good three-point shooters and we had to lock down on that,” Mesman said.
“So we strategised, got back and it paid off.”
Mesman, who was lured back to the Tornadoes last year, said it was great players could pick their own teams.
“Three of us came back together after the years of not playing together,” she said.
“But we needed Jess’s young legs – we had the age and smarts, but Jess brought in the quickness.”