Presented earlier tonight at the annual black tie iiNet Basketball Australia MVP Dinner at Crown Casino, the awards recognised the exceptional work done across all media outlets reporting on the NBL and WNBL throughout the 2012/13 season.
The 2012/13 award winners are:
NBL Basketball Writer of the Year: Boti Nagy, Adelaide Advertiser, botinagy.com
NBL Best Feature Article: Peter Argent, Koori Mail Newspaper
NBL Best Television Story: Lennon Cooper/Tom Wilson, Fox Sports
NBL Best Radio Story: Debbie Spillane, ABC Grandstand
NBL Best Photograph: Anthony Ay, Photosport New Zealand
WNBL Basketball Writer of the Year: Megan Hustwaite, Manningham Leader
NBL Best Feature Article: Roy Ward, The Age
NBL Best Television Story: Tim Gavel, ABC Grandstand
NBL Best Radio Story: Peter Walsh, ABC Grandstand
NBL Best Photograph: Michelle Couling, Michelle Couling Photography
Further Information:
NBL Basketball Writer of the Year
Boti Nagy, Adelaide Advertiser
A previous winner in this category, highly acclaimed Nagy was recognised for his consistent and comprehensive reports, game previews and reviews, opinions and analysis on the NBL in both the Advertiser and his own website.
Honourable Mentions: Liam Butterworth (Townsville Bulletin); Shayne Hope (The West Australian)
NBL Best Feature Article
Peter Argent, Koori Mail, ‘Brothers in Arms’ 30/01/2013
‘Brothers in Arms’ told the story of brothers Michael and Chris Cedar, who have made history as the only indigenous brothers to play in the NBL.
Honourable Mentions: Justin Huntsdale (ABC Illawarra Online) ‘Hawks Eye Strong Start to NBL Opener’; Roy Ward (The Age) ‘New Tiger Keen for a Fresh Start.’
NBL Best Television Story
Lennon Cooper and Tom Wilson, Fox Sports Adelaide, ‘2012 Hall of Fame Inductee Ken Cole’ 21/12/2012
This in-depth look at Ken Cole’s colourful career took six months to prepare across two continents and as a result is now the longest story to ever air on Fox Sports News.
Honourable Mention: Huw Benyon (3news -tv3 NZ) ‘Webster Returns After Suspension.
NBL Best Radio Story
Debbie Spillane, ABC Grandstand, Grandstand Reflections with Glen Saville 02/02/2013
Spillane spoke at length with recently retired 563 game Wollongong Hawk legend Glen Saville about his career highlights.
Honourable Mention: Corbin Middlemas (ABC Grandstand Perth) coverage of Perth Wildcats
NBL Best Photograph
Anthony Ay, Photosport New Zealand
Action image of Breakers Tom Abercrombie ‘going for the for the dunk as Crocs Peter Crawford fouls him’ from the NBL Semi-Final Game 3, 2012, New Zealand Breakers v Townsville Crocodiles.
Honourable Mention: Ian Hitchcock: ‘Gary Ervin of the Crocodiles makes a lay-up’. Townsville Crocodiles v Adelaide 36ers.
WNBL Basketball Writer of the Year
Megan Hustwaite, Manningham Leader
Megan boasts a solid portfolio of season coverage of the Women’s National League that included weekly previews and reviews, features and match reports.
Honourable Mention: Roy Ward (The Age)
WNBL Best Feature Article
Roy Ward, The Age, ‘Bendigo Shows its Spirit’ 24/02/2013
‘Bendigo Shows its Spirit’ reflected on Bendigo’s 2012/13 season heading into the finals with coach Bernie Harrower, the support of the Bendigo community and the importance of a history making Championship.
Honourable Mentions: Velma Gara (DUO Magazine Townsville) Townsville Fire Features; Joel Peterson (Bendigo Weekly) ‘The Fighting Spirit.’
WNBL Best Television Story
Tim Gavel, ABC Grandstand, Lauren Jackson Feature 3/11/2012
This in-depth feature on Lauren Jackson examined her return to the WNBL, with Jackson candidly discussed her current injury situation and her future plans both on and off the court.
Honourable Mentions: Claire Thomas (Network Ten Perth) ‘West Coast Waves Prepare for 2012/13; Angela Pulvirenti (ABC Inside Edge) Lauren Jackson Feature
WNBL Best Radio Story
Peter Walsh, ABC Grandstand, ‘State of Play in the WNBL – Adelaide Lightning’ 22/12/2012
Walsh provided an in-depth feature with the Adelaide Lightning interviewing players including Jo Hill, Kelsey Ireland, Suzi Batkovic, Laura Hodges, Jenny Screen and Angela Marino about the Lightning’s chances in season 2012/13.
Honourable Mention: Matt Clinch (ABC Grandstand Adelaide) Interview with Adelaide Lightning coach Peter Buckle before elimination semi-final
WNBL Best Photograph
Michelle Couling, Michelle Couling Photography
Action image of Bendigo’s Kristi Harrower & Rachel Herrick contesting the ball with Dandenong’s Alison Downie - Bendigo v Dandenong
Honourable Mentions: Steven Blake (Akuna Photography) ‘Dandenong player going over the back of Spirit’s Gabe Richards as she goes to take a shot.’ Dandenong v Bendigo; Yvonne Millbank (Millbank Photography) ‘Kristi Harrower takes the shot’ Bendigo v Adelaide.
