The empire has fallen and the new kids on the block have risen to a landmark achievement as the Tasmania JackJumpers were catapulted into their first-ever finals series without even being on the court.
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Scott Roth proclaimed in the pre-season that a championship was on his radar and that projection could now be a feasible possibility when the JackJumpers play their first semi-final on Thursday.
The emotions of Roth and the JackJumpers in Hobart after their victory over Melbourne United were transferred to living rooms across the state as fans dared to dream.
Tasmanians turned into Phoenix fans for the evening as their finals hopes rested on the Victorian side conquering the NBL's perennial powerhouse, the Perth Wildcats.
It took overtime to get there but the South East Melbourne Phoenix produced a hammer blow to the Wildcats' historic finals streak of 35 years with a 102-100 point win.
"Congrats to Tasmania for making the finals in their first year, pretty incredible achievement and they earned it," Wildcats coach Scott Morrison said after the game.
The Phoenix were led by the familiar duo of Mitch Creek, Xavier Munford. The pair, plus Zhou Qi, delivered match-winning points to seal the Wildcats fate. Munford dropped 24 points, nine assists and six rebounds.
The JackJumpers were staring down the possibility of being the first team to miss finals with 17 wins but instead will be the first expansion side in finals since the Gold Coast Blaze in 2008.
After being largely picked to be a cellar-dweller for their debut NBL campaign, the JackJumpers will now contest a semi-final series against a Melbourne United side led by Launceston-born Chris Goulding.
FINALS FIXTURE:
Game 1: Melbourne United v Tasmania JackJumpers, John Cain Arena, 7:30pm on 28 April.
Game 2: Tasmania JackJumpers v Melbourne United, MyState Bank Arena, 8:00pm on April 30.
Game 3 (if required): Melbourne United v Tasmania JackJumpers, John Cain Arena, 7:30pm on May 2.
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Adam Daunt
Sports reporter at The Examiner. Focus on basketball and netball but occasionally rolls the arm over for some cricket coverage in the summer. Previously from Adelaide with a stint in Byron Bay. Get in touch: adam.daunt@examiner.com.au.
Sports reporter at The Examiner. Focus on basketball and netball but occasionally rolls the arm over for some cricket coverage in the summer. Previously from Adelaide with a stint in Byron Bay. Get in touch: adam.daunt@examiner.com.au.
