2017 was an incredibly busy year for Basketball at Lincoln University in both the Men's and Women's grades.

The 2017 LU Basketball season was an extraordinary one with teams competing in the Canterbury Basketball Association (CBA) local competition, 3x3 and 5x5 University Tertiary Sport New Zealand (UTSNZ) and Basketball New Zealand’s Tertiary tournaments as well as our Men’s’ and Women’s teams who qualified for and competed in the FISU World University 3x3 League Final in China.

Back in April CBA and UTSNZ ran the second 3x3 Tertiary Championships with LU Basketball entering a male and female team. The Men’s team went through to the quarter finals with only the one loss to Canterbury University in pool play. In the quarters they narrowly tipped up Otago Uni 13-11 to face AUT in the semi-finals. The one point 14-13 victory took them through to the final where they bet Auckland University 20-16. In the Women’s draw Lincoln were dominant winning all matches with good victories over Canterbury Uni B 19-5 in the quarters, AUT 11-6 in the semis and in the final they had too much skill and fitness beating Victoria Uni 12-6. As a result of their victories both teams qualified for the FISU World University League Finals that was played in September

Lincoln University Basketball only entered four teams into the CBA competition this year with a Men’s and Women’s U23 team and a Men’s’ and Women’s Premier side. Most players were members of both squads meaning they played two games each weekend. The two Premier teams played in the first round of competition for the Hoben and Patron Trophies respectively. The Premier Men’s team reached the final against the Pioneer Pacers and with the match going down to the wire LU were squeezed out in the final second to go down 73-76. In the Premier Women’s first round final Lincoln University took on North Canterbury in the Patrons Trophy match and again both teams were locked up until the last seconds before Lincoln were able to break the deadlock for the win 60-56.

Following on from the Trophy Finals the Premier teams moved into the Championship round robin and play-offs while the U23 Men's side moved into the top six of their competition. The U23 Women finished their triple round robin series before moving into the quarter-finals.  All four sides progressed well through the quarter finals and due to the timing of the FISU 3x3 Finals in China all teams had to rely on the kindness of their opposing semi-finalists to play their matches before travel, as was the case for the Women, or on their immediate return for the Premier Men and both U23 teams.  The end result being that all Lincoln sides qualified for the finals with only two days to spare.

Saturday 23 September was going to be a busy day at Cowles Stadium for the LU Basketball players competing in the Canterbury Basketball Championship Finals.  The  LU U23 Bulls met Canterbury University in the first game of the day and were able to convert their 45-43 half time lead into an 82-75 Championship victory. This team has continued their phenomenal and unbeaten run since losing their last match in 2013. The Bulls 72 match winning record and Championship victories in 2014, 2015, 2016 and again in 2017 is testament to the exceptional skill, talent, dedication and mateship of all involved in this Championship Team. 

The Lincoln University U23 Women's team had a fantastic season in this new grade that bridges the gap between secondary school and premier players. The side were too strong for a young and developing Halswell team with LU claiming the Championship victory 80-32.

The Premier Women’s Basketball side enjoyed early success with the victory in the first round Patrons Cup over, what proved to be their arch rivals, North Canterbury 60 – 56. The two teams met again on finals day with the North Canterbury ladies proving too strong for a valiant Lincoln side 80-36. 

The Premier Men’s Basketball team narrowly missed out on the first round Hoben Cup going down 73-76 against their eventual Championship Finals opponents the Pioneer Pacers. Unfortunately the Pacers also denied the Lincoln Lads victory in the finals with their 88 – 66 win leaving Lincoln with the Runners Up tag.

At the Canterbury Basketball Association Awards evening LU Basketball was very well represented with the U23 Women's, Premier Women's, LU 3x3 Women's and LU Tertiary Women's team coach Josh Thompson winning Coach of the Year and Lincoln University Basketball being named Club of the year.

The following players were named First Team Honours, Grade and Final's MVP Awards winners from the 2017 CBA season.

Under 23 Women
Lucy Brown
Caitlin Grice 
Biance Malifa - Finals MVP

Under 23 Men
James Cawthorn 
Ben Williams 
Josiah Williams - Finals MVP

Premier Women
Fran Edmondson 
Connie Poletti

Premier Men
Ben Bowie 
James Cawthorn (Grade MVP)

The following players were award recipients at the 2017 LU Sports Prize-giving and Blue and Gold Awards.

Women’s U23

Most Valuable Player - Caitlin Grice
Coaches Awards - Bianca Malifa

Men's U23

Most Valuable Player - Josiah Williams 
Coaches Awards - Ben Williams

Premier Women

Most Valuable Player - Connie Poletti
Coaches Awards - Bailey McDougall

Premier Men

Most Valuable Player - Ben Bowie
Coaches Awards -Jayden Chan

2017 Women's Player of the Year- Connie Poletti
2017 Men's Player of the Year - James Cawthorn

Lincoln University Blue for Basketball 

Ben Williams - Canterbury RAMS
Connie Poletti - Canterbury Wildcats 

LU Basketball 2017 Season Review (Part 2) will be about the FISU World University 3x3 League Finals in China

LU Basketball 2017 Season Review (Part 3) will be about the BBNZ and UTSNZ Tertiary Championships