Sydney! Sydney! Sydney!

The Sydney Kings have capped off a stellar season in the National Basketball League winning Game 2 of the Grand Final Series in Perth last night, and with it the 2002/2003 Championship.

After a heart-stopping performance in Sydney on Thursday night, the Kings travelled to Perth for what was expected to be a fight

Game 1 in Sydney on Thursday night saw basketball of a standard few in Australia have been witness to. 10,500 Sydney fans were reminded why they love this game. From a 14 point deficit with 6 minutes to go, Sydney lifted to finish four point victors. In both disbelief and ecstasy, players, coaches and fans stood cheering long after the final whistle had blown.

And so it was on to Perth. Everyone expected Perth to come out reeling after Thursday night's loss. Instead it was the Kings who came out firing. Anyone hearing the half time score update on the radio would be forgiven for thinking it was a mistake. 64 - 38.

However, those few Kings fans who were lucky enough to be at the game or watching on pay-tv (which provided the only coverage of the match) knew different. They had been witness to what can only be described as a supremely dominant performance by everyone on the Kings team.

Nine of the ten players on the Kings away roster had taken the court by half time and each of those players had scored. Shane Heal was at his three point bombing best. Chris Williams and Kavossy Franklin showed the flashy moves that have delighted Sydney all year. Matt Neilson showed the court wisdom his has gained this year. Ben Melmeth made some fantastic moves to the basket. Brad Sheridan had found his range again. David Stiff made us all realise how lucky we were he choose Sydney to come back to after his stint in Europe. Rookie of the year Gary Boodnikoff played with the confidence of a veteran. Travis Lane was at his speedy best. And every player exhibited the tough, unrelenting defence that has defined this year's Kings (courtesy of the maestro, Brian Goorjian).

To beat Perth at home was a marvel. Rob Feaster alone scored 40 points. Yet the Kings 117-101 result truly was one for the ages.

Basketball is back in the harbour city my friends, and those of us who have been there through thick and thin are loving it!