Basketball
24 November, 2025
Lady Hornets finish season abuzz
The Horsham Hornets women’s team concluded their season on a high, defeating Millicent and Mount Gambier at home in the eighth and final round of the Country Basketball League.
On Saturday night, the Lady Hornets faced league leaders, the Millicent Magic.
Horsham got off to a great start, applying great defence to lead 12-5 at quarter time.
Despite the Magic missing numerous players, the visitors kept the game within six points before three late baskets in the second quarter gave the Hornets a 28-16 halftime lead.
The home side extended the lead to 19 early in the second half before taking a 44-30 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
A 10-point final quarter from Jorja Clode helped put the game away for the Hornets, who prevailed 62-41.
Clode finished the game with a team-high 19 points, while captain Georgia Hiscock had 10.
On Sunday afternoon, the Hornets returned to Horsham Basketball Stadium to take on the third-placed Mount Gambier Lakers.
Hiscock led from the front early on, scoring 15 first-quarter points to give the Hornets a 23-16 lead at quarter time.
After the Lakers cut the deficit to four, a 13-0 Horsham run in the middle of the second quarter saw the Hornets take control.
Led by nine points from Hannah Plazzer, the home side continued their momentum to enter halftime up 50-31.
With Hiscock temporarily leaving the game because of a dislocated finger, the Lakers managed to get back into the game, eventually tying the game at 56-56 just before the third-quarter break.
Spurred by the return of Hiscock and eight early fourth-quarter points by Plazzer, the Hornets took the lead, but Mount Gambier cut the lead to one on several occasions.
But several clutch plays from the Hornets ensured they maintained and extended their lead, including countless rebounds from Jess Cannane, five straight free throws from Shannon Cross, and an and-one basket from Hiscock after a steal on the defensive end.
A Jemma Thomas three-pointer in the final minute extended Horsham’s lead to 10 before the Hornets finished 85-76 winners.
Hiscock led the side with 28 points, including four three-pointers, while Plazzer finished with 17 points.
Asked about finishing the season with two wins in front of a home crowd, Hornets coach Jordyn Burke was elated with the team’s performance.
“It’s fantastic, particularly to get this nourishment, and against two very good sides,” Burke said.
“I just thought the girls played the right type of basketball all weekend.
“They played really good defence and kept two good sides to a reasonable score, but were also able to execute on offence.
“The reps and minutes together over the course of the season really showed in our space and movement these games; it was a lot more in sync than early in the season.”
Hiscock reiterated her coach’s comments on the team’s improvement, and was proud of the team’s finish to the season.
“I’m feeling absolutely elated,” Hiscock said.
“I actually got a bit emotional after the game when Jordy was giving his final speech, just with the progression that the whole team has made from that first game right to the end of the season.
“We knocked off two of the best teams, so to come from struggling and battling a little bit at the start of the season to finishing really strong, I'm really, really proud.”
Hiscock said she was keen to finish the season on the court with the girls, not letting a dislocated finger get in the way.
“Yeah, I dislocated my finger in that second quarter, so a quick trip off to the hospital and popped it back in, then came back to the last quarter, so that was nice,” Hiscock said.
