FOR the first 14 points of their 2019 Bronwyn Vigors Pacific Challenge final victory at Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie shot from the field at 100 percent.
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The Dolphins' under-13 boys then held their nerve down the stretch to hold off Logan Thunder 51-45 to complete an undefeated tournament last weekend.
Coach John Collins said they led from start to finish and for some of the players it was their fourth-straight success in the competition.
"For the first 14 points no-one missed a shot; whether that was a lay-up, a three-pointer or a free-throw," he said.
"I think we caught them (Logan) off guard a little bit because they had a lot of big wins through the rounds in their pool."
They conceded up to a foot in height to their opponents meaning Port Macquarie's running game had to prove effective.
And it did.
"We're a very small team and height is normally everything in basketball," the coach said.
"When your point guard is your biggest player it makes it hard, but they just got out and ran."
Collins said the team chemistry was one of the key factors in their successful tournament.
"They all play for each other; when one guy is on the ground there are always two there picking them up."
The pre-season win at Coffs Harbour suggests the junior Dolphins are in good form ahead of the 2020 season.
"We played three Queensland teams, one from Byron Bay and one from Tamworth so it was a step up on what we're used to," Collins said.
"Some of those Brisbane teams are picking their sides from a lot bigger region than us because we're so small."
Meanwhile, the association's under-15 girls finished as runners-up following a 54-17 defeat to Coffs Harbour in their final.
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