IT was slated as a pre-season exhibition, but it felt like anything but.
As the National Basketball League’s South East Melbourne Phoenix and Brisbane Bullets lined up for tip-off at Wangaratta Sports and Aquatic Centre’s new show court on Thursday night, there was palpable excitement in the air as Wangaratta’s basketball history was set to change forever.
The court with its second grandstand had been developed, together with two new additional courts, as part of a $11.6 million expansion of stadium facilities between the State Government and the Rural City of Wangaratta.
An electric crowd exceeding 1000 people entered the stadium and brought a raucous and constant atmosphere to the night, normally reserved for 15,000 capacity stadiums in Australia’s capital cities.
“This is one of the best things we’ve ever done at Wangaratta,” Mayor Dean Rees said, minutes before the sold-out crowd came to life at tip-off.
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‘DJ Apples’ and Phoenix MC Tyson Whelan had the stadium rocking the entire night, with fans on their feet dancing, clapping, cheering and even singing.
The national anthem was sung by Antonia Maher and Pulsate Dance Force’s Almighty Hip Hop Team kept the crowd entertained with a Barbie themed show at halftime.
Players made every minute on the floor count as both benches rallied for their sides like there was a finals spot on the line.
Wangaratta Basketball Inc president Adam Maher said the night was everything he had hoped for and more.
“The standard of the operation was second to none, there was smiles on everyone’s faces,” he said.
“More than anything we got a really good look at what that stadium is going to offer us, we demonstrated we can hold an event that would normally be held at John Cain Arena or somewhere like that, in Wangaratta.
“The community felt welcomed by both sides, it’s not really a basketball game, it’s a production, it’s an event, people go to get entertained, and I think there would be a few people like me with no voice left in the morning.”
The crowd showed their clear allegiance for the Phoenix, with American Joe Wieskamp’s three-pointers bringing the fans to their feet while fellow countryman Derrick Walton Jr’s crafty playmaking quickly became a crowd favourite.
Local Jacqui Duley was in attendance with her Phoenix mad supporter son Samuel.
Ms Duley said it was an incredible event, made even more remarkable to have available on Wangaratta’s doorstep.
“It’s great to see these beautiful new facilities and great for the young people of Wangaratta to have these available to them,” she said.
“I’ve loved it, it’s a great atmosphere and it’s good to see the community get around it.
“Council and everyone have done a great job with the hospitality.”
Local Megan Jones also brought her two daughters Charlotte and Ivy James along to check out the new facility.
Ms Jones said she had taken Ivy to a Harlem Globetrotters exhibition in Melbourne a couple of years ago and she had become hooked to the entertainment of the event.
“Dad used to play, I used to play and now the girls are getting into as well,” she said.
Ms Jones said she was excited by the prospect of her daughters taking the floor at the new courts.
As for the game, Brisbane’s twin towers Tyrell Harrison and NBA draft prospect Rocco Zikarsky looked too much to handle for South East Melbourne early on.
But fuelled by their adopted home crowd, Phoenix roared back into the game, behind their very own young star Malique Lewis.
With nothing in it going down to the final five minutes, the Bullet’s size again reigned supreme, with some cool shooting from Deng Adel and James Batemon securing the 92-86 win.
After the game, fans had their chance to meet their stars with a signing and selfie session with the Phoenix players.
The team made an instant impact on the community, donating the remaining unsold accessible seating allocations back to the community free of charge.
Even some travelling Bullets players who weren’t obliged to come out of the change rooms couldn’t resist being among the loving crowd.
Mr Maher said both teams praised the hospitality of Wangaratta and Wangaratta basketball and he thanked the support of Phoenix chief executive officer Tommy Greer in orchestrating the magical night.
“The whole Phoenix team were just phenomenal to work with, they were true professionals and I think that’s what made it absolutely fantastic to be around,” he said.
“Tommy was a real big supporter of it right from the word go, nothing was too hard and I think he was really happy with the result as well.
“A credit to all the players, there was no one who walked off the court at the end.
“All of my team who works with me, I had some fantastic help from all of our board and it made the night run really easy.
“It’s a credit to everyone who has worked to get the stadium to where it is, it’s been a hard slog, it hasn’t been an easy run, but last night was the pinnacle of a lot of hard work over the past two years, it makes it all worth it.”
With the night's success, prospects of attracting major sporting events to the new facility and the region may have bolstered.
South East Melbourne Phoenix chief executive officer Tommy Greer said the club was in awe of the passion shown by the community for basketball with an incredible turnout.
"It was great to see Wangaratta out in droves to support our team," he said.
"We will endeavour to explore ways to continue this partnership and going around again, the players loved it, the coaches loved it and it looked like the crowd loved it too."
Mayor Rees said he looked forward to council attracting future major events to the region.
"Wangaratta is the heart of sport in regional Victoria," he said.
"We have never seen an NBL clash like this up close and personal, it's a great thing for the rural city."
Mr Maher said he already has his eyes set on the prospect of another marquee NBL game next year with Phoenix.
“We’ll be really pushing to get one back next year, I think we’ve built a good relationship with Phoenix, I think they want to be that country partner club,” he said.
“It was great for the community and it certainly was something that will be talked about for a long, long time.”
Mr Maher also thanked the Rural City of Wangaratta council events team, the WSAC along with the broader community for their help in the event.
Council expect the stadium and all of its courts to be open for public use in October.
