Launceston Lakers look set to replicate the performance of their early 2000s NBA namesake as they took out the Tasmanian badminton team championships.
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The event is in its sixth year in the current format, the Lakers, led by co-captains Stephen Gale and Meg Graham took home their second consecutive title in a nail-biting 7-5 final against Burnie.
Burnie were able to reverse their fortunes in the division two competition however with lower league MVP Matt Stewart leading his team to victory over North Hobart.
With the tournament attracting mainland attention and rapidly building into one of Australia's leading events, players are drafted into teams by the four captains and have the chance to rub shoulders with some of the country's best.
Mixing local badminton talent with several international representatives, two Olympians were in attendance at the Hobart-based tournament throughout the weekend with competition MVP Rayoni Nelson and Launceston premiership player Erin Walklate having achieved the ultimate goal.
Launceston captain Graham, Fiji national coach Brent Munday and Australian junior coach Ben Walklate remained undefeated for the tournament as they led their team of Gale, Erin Walklate, Josh Partridge, Abbie Rothery, Grant Henderson and Ben and Amelia Brockman to glory.
The annual Bellchambers Cup doubles event was also contested with participants rotating partners to name the leading doubles player.
Ben Walklate echoed his premiership success from the previous day to take out the men's open title as Hobart's Leesa Grundy achieved victory in the ladies.
Hobart rising junior pair Darcy Webster-Jones and Tara Thiessen showed their credentials for a promotion the senior competition by winning division two.
Open standings:
Launceston, Burnie, North Hobart, South Hobart
Division two:
Burnie, North Hobart, Launceston, South Hobart
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