Olympians go back to back with grand final win over Pumas in Geraldton men’s basketball

Johny Narkle and Richie Bartlett dominated on the scoresheet as Olympians sprung the perfect trap on Pumas in the top division of Geraldton men’s basketball.

The Octopuses won by 16 points in Friday night’s grand final, 101-84, to win their second championship in a row.

Narkle, a Fenix Geraldton Buccaneers recruit for the upcoming NBL1 West season, put almost half of Olympians’ points on the board, ending the game with 42.

Narkle was deadly from range, equalling Pumas’ Clayton Parfitt for the most three-pointers scored on the night, with six each.

The swingman, coming in over 2m, was also devastating in the paint, landing some monster dunks late on as Olympians broke from defence seemingly at will.

Bartlett played an able Robin to Narkle’s Batman, grabbing 26 points of his own in only his 11th game of basketball this season after playing most of the WAFL colts campaign for East Fremantle.

Isaac Smith, Brad Roworth and the rest of the squad ably deputised as Olympians ran away with the game late on.

Pumas had pulled back to nearly level by half time and were in the match until partway through the second half but couldn’t hold on.

Buccs coach Dayle Joseph will now have some selection headaches as he looks to incorporate local talent into a squad that has been heavily reinforced with new signings during the off-season.

The Pumas’ NBL1 quartet of Clayton Parfitt, Harry Evans, Will Galvin and Tom Dobson all put in credible performances.

Flynn Dillon was top scorer with 22 points and Parfitt was second with 20.

The rest of the Buccs on the side got into double figures on the scoresheet.

Joseph said Narkle’s ability in the two-three role as a shooting guard and small forward added depth to a versatile Buccs squad with South Sudan international and ex-Perth Wildcat Mathiang Muo and new signings Cameron Coleman and Fletcher Klasztorny also able to play similar guard and forward positions.

“Having someone of Johny’s quality on the court with a couple of imports and some other quality players might free him up a little bit,” Joseph said.

“I think he’s got a lot to offer, he can shoot the ball and get to the basket and can get dunks if no one’s in his way.

“He’s a very exciting player.”