Detroit native Derek Murphy secured the grand final MVP accolade during the Shepparton Gators' victorious title clash against RMIT.
The forward tallied up 21 points, 15 rebounds, two assists and two blocks.
Murphy said with the stakes this high, he needed to be aggressive and take more shots.
He took 21, including three threes, a shot he had shied away from due to his poor percentages in the past.
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Rising above: Gators' Derek Murphy with a lay-up. Photo by Megan FisherImage 2 of 7
Down but not out: Gators' Derek Murphy hits the floor. Photo by Megan FisherImage 3 of 7
Air duel: Gators' Lachlan Kego competes in the air. Photo by Megan FisherImage 4 of 7
On the attack: Gators' Derek Murphy. Photo by Megan FisherImage 5 of 7
Soft touch: Gators' Derek Murphy. Photo by Megan FisherImage 6 of 7
Baller: Gators' Derek Murphy. Photo by Megan FisherImage 7 of 7
At full stretch: Gators' Lachlan Kego. Photo by Megan FisherThe Detroit native even hit a step-back three, slaying his season demons where he struggled from range.
“I had to get in my bag,” Murphy said.
“I told you, I didn’t come here to waste my time.”
He had one of a few ridiculous and-ones, flying in for an offensive rebound off a missed jump shot.
Instead of coming down with the ball like a regular person, Murphy decided to convert the ball mid-air, throwing it in before he fell behind the backboard, picking up the two points and the foul.
Benalla native Lachlan Kego also came up big in the win, stacking up 14 points, 13 rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block.
Kego was stellar on both sides of the ball, protecting the rim without fouling and constantly cleaning up his teammates’ missed shots.
Kego has been a revelation in Josh Waight’s side, transcending all expectations in the second-half of the season.
Kego and Murphy won their respective match-ups.
Kego kept RMIT big man Louse Agon to seven points on two shots made from eight.
Murphy contained RMIT’s second scoring option Daniel Steen to 14 points on six shots made of 15.
Through Shepparton’s two finals games (both against RMIT) Murphy put up a combined 36 points, 35 rebounds and seven assists.
Kego put a combined 29 points, 23 rebounds and three blocks.
About as good a Shaq and Kobe impression you’ll find.