Melbourne South Dragons Win First-Ever Australian NBL Title
On March 16, 2009, the Melbourne South Dragons (and
former Falcon standout, Donta Smith) won their first-ever
Australian National Basketball League title. In a best of five
series with the Melbourne Tigers, the South Dragons took
game 1, pulling away in the final 3 minutes. Game 2 was
won by the Tigers despite a come-from-behind run by the
South Dragons. Behind a stellar night from Donta Smith,
the South Dragons took a 2-1 lead in the Grand Final series
with a dominating performance. In game 4, the Tigers tied
up the series sending it into the fifth and final game. The
Dragons got a match-winning performance from Tremmell
Darden to claim the 2009 championship over the Tigers.
On the heels of a first-ever NBL title for the Melbourne
South Dragons, came the news that head coach Brian
Goorjian was named NBL “Coach of the Year” and Adam
Gibson was selected as “Defensive Player of the Year.”
South Dragons captain Mark Worthington was
named to the All-NBL First Team, while
teammates Adam Gibson and Joe Ingles made
the Third Team. South Dragons' Captain Mark
Worthington capped off a remarkable year by
being named the club's MVP.
Congratulations to former-Falcon, Donta Smith,
and the Melbourne South Dragons on their NBL
championship title!