Basketball
25 November, 2025
Horsham lay sting in Hornets’ nest
The Horsham Hornets' men’s side finished the Country Basketball League home-and-away season in extraordinary fashion at the weekend at Horsham Basketball Stadium.
With a three-way battle on for the final two spots, Horsham proved too strong for Ararat on Saturday night before winning a 113-111 thriller over league leaders Mount Gambier on Sunday to secure their finals spot.
On Saturday night, the Hornets hosted a Redbacks side missing key players Zac Dunmore and Ethan Fiegert, but the visitors’ size and rebounding impacted Horsham early.
But two consecutive breakaway dunks from Judd Wright erupted the packed home crowd and saw the Hornets take a 22-15 lead at quarter-time.
The Redbacks provided resistance early in the second quarter, but much like at the end of the first quarter, relentless defence and fast-paced transition play helped the Hornets hold a 45-31 lead at half-time.
After Horsham extended the lead to 24 points, Ararat cut the deficit to 16 early in the fourth, before the Hornets stamped their authority to win 95-59.
Cody Bryan top scored with 21 points, Levi Munyard had 20, and Tarkyn Benbow and Mitch Martin had great shooting nights, making three three-pointers each.
Speaking after the match, Hornets assistant coach Matt Lovel said the team’s ball movement and speed were pivotal throughout the game.
“The boys were really good; they took advantage of their speed and moved the ball up and down the court pretty quickly,” Lovel said.
“It got us some really good open looks throughout the game and we were able to really break it open towards the end of that third quarter.
Lovel also praised the team’s defensive improvement following their round seven loss to Portland.
“We weren’t really that great defensively against Portland,” Lovel said.
“The boys really wanted to rebound as a team but also help each other on the defensive end.
“We were a little bit undersized against them but our help defence was great and our ball pressure was good too.”
With a finals spot still yet to be secured, the Hornets backed up against the Mount Gambier Lakers on Sunday.
After trailing at the first break 24-19, valuable contributions from Tim McCormick and Ryan Pfitzner off the bench helped the Hornets take a 51-47 lead by half-time.
But the Lakers demonstrated why they are the best offence in the competition, knocking down four three-pointers in the third quarter to retake the lead late and enter the final quarter up 78-75.
Both sides then put on an offensive masterclass, including a two-minute period where each side scored a basket on every possession.
A Judd Wright layup saw the Hornets retake the lead with just under three minutes to play as both sides continued to make pivotal baskets and free throws
In a thrilling finish, Lakers’ sharpshooter Taj Brumby missed a potential game-winner with four seconds remaining before the Hornets held on for a two-point victory.
Micah Livingstone was solid all game as he led the Hornets with 28 points.
Judd Wright had 15 fourth-quarter points to finish with 21, while Mitch Martin had 16 points, including two three-pointers in the final quarter.
McCormick, also an assistant coach of the Hornets, said he was proud of the performance against a strong Mount Gambier team, with the win securing their position in the finals.
“It feels good to lock in that finals spot,” McCormick said.
“Mount Gambier’s got some really good shooters out there so we always knew it was going to be tough.
“But that was a really good team effort.
"We moved the ball well and got our open shots.
“I think we shot the ball the best we have all season so it’s not a bad time to get that motivation and confidence.
“There were obviously a few fatigued bodies out there after Saturday’s game, but to come up against Mount Gambier and do that, I’m pretty happy about it.”
Asked about his fourth-quarter contribution, Judd Wright said he was feeling confident as the team built offensive momentum.
“I suppose I had the confidence up and made a couple of shots and then we had a bit of momentum going forward,” Wright said.
“But credit to Mount Gambier, they kept making shots and it was an unreal game to be a part of."
Wright added that he was happy to excite the crowd with his dunks at the weekend.
“I don’t mind a fast break,” Wright said.
“I like getting the crowd up and about so to get a couple of dunks up was fun.”
The final round results saw Mount Gambier, Terang, Portland and Horsham progress to the finals, where the Hornets will meet Mount Gambier again in this Saturday’s semi-finals.
The time and location of the semi-final are still to be determined.
Regardless of the semi-final result, Horsham Basketball Stadium will host the CBL grand final on Saturday December 6.
