Adelaide are the Champions!

9/MAR/2008 – The Adelaide Lightning are the 2007/08 Australian Defence Force Women's National Basketball League (WNBL) champions after defeating the Sydney Uni Flames 92-82 at the Wollongong Entertainment Centre yesterday.

An unstoppable display by Wollongong junior Renae Camino inspired Adelaide Lightning to their first WNBL title in a decade, beating the Sydney Uni Flames 92-82 in the grand final.

Camino was MVP for her game-high 32 points at the Wollongong Entertainment Centre as Adelaide claimed their fifth WNBL crown and first since 1998.

Sydney were left reeling after a sixth grand final loss in seven seasons.

Camino, who played all her junior basketball in Wollongong, produced one of the great grand final performances.

With around 50 "Camino Army" fans in the stands, the 21-year-old Opals squad member said winning was a dream come true.

"I've never won anything before, I've won plenty of silver but never quite the gold," Camino said.

"This is the gold for me, winning the title. I felt nervous playing in my home town but made a good start and things just went from there."

While Camino starred with a 15-of-26 shooting, fellow Adelaide starting guard Erin Phillips had 16 points and seven rebounds while Sam Woosnam had a solid 13 points and eight rebounds.

Sydney co-captain and league MVP Nat Porter had a 8-of-27 shooting effort, finishing with 23 points while Alicia Poto tried hard with 18 points and Michelle Musselwhite had 16 points.

Adelaide jumped to a 30-16 lead at quarter-time but Sydney fought back hard, winning the second term 19-10 and keeping Adelaide to just three field goals to only trail 40-35 at halftime.

A 26-18 third term to Adelaide broke the game open and they were never troubled in the final term.

Adelaide coach Vicki Valk praised her side.

"It was a big occasion and everyone played well and its a reward for a great season," Valk said.

Sydney coach Karen Dalton said: "We tried hard but didn't execute well enough, full credit to Adelaide."

For Adelaide the victory was even sweeter having forfeited home court advantage to the Flames after a shock 90-71 loss on their home pine in the major semi a fortnight ago.

But having earned a spot in the grand final by beating Dandenong last Saturday the Lightning lived up to their 21-3 season record with a dominant performance.

Adelaide's 92 points was also the highest score in a WNBL grand final.