Hoops

2000 Wildcats Championship Team

there is some Anthony Stewart spray paint action in front of Dewey's Angels at the end of that clip

Luc Longley was owning the team that year I think and the place was HUMMING. Timmons, Rogers, Grace and THE GREAT MAN Vlahov. No wonder it was another banner for the mighty Wildcats

So what year was drug-testing introduced?

This season had a couple of classic "buzzer beaters" too. First there was Vlahov's "from villain to hero" three on the buzzer to win.

Then, perhaps one of the most famous wins of all time when Perth beat the then-mighty Adelaide 36ers (the core team that dominated with Mee, Cattalini, Maher etc), coming back from something like 18 points down to win on a Anthony Stewart 3 pointer.

I believe there was a good highlights clip of this on YouTube somewhere. I remember watching it.

They also didnt change their uniform mid-season. I think that was a few years later at Challenge.

James Harvey had a break out game in 2000 against the Hawks when Vlahov hit a 3 to win that game. I think he 'exploded' for 18 points which signalled his arrival as an excitement machine. But Koberulz is right, his actual break out year was 2001. Harvey only averaged 8ppg or something during 2000.

They also didnt change their uniform mid-season. I think that was a few years later at Challenge.

99/00 was a bloody great season not just for the championship and being legitimate underdogs, but because it turned the club around and possibly stopped it from folding at that time. Though it wasnt the end of their problems, it at least revitalised them a bit during that tough era.

They even changed uniform designs half way through the season if I remember correctly.

This season saw the emergence of James Harvey

" With Marcus Timmons getting white hot and shooting the lights out. I still rate his performance higher than Cottons."

Cotton scored more in less minutes, and likely at a higher clip. Why is it you think Timmons' performance was better?

The chairs were better too.

Never quite understood why the Arena, designed for Tennis, Basketball, and Performers, was made so lopsided, as though the two sports were after-thoughts.

It wasn't the best title but obviously was ramarqable to you personally due to your memories.

Good drive down memory however, it's sad that the PEC in 2000 was better utilised with the configuration and entertainment ideas than the billion dollar whatever Perth Arena.

yes the stairs were covered in padding as they were so close to the court.

The atmosphere at these games were great, as the baseline seats were so close to the action, and they were actually at a height were you could see the action. Now at Perth Arena you are so far back and on ground level the baseline seats are terrible.

That bed sheet with the spray paint is definitely a memory that sticks out for me from the Entertainment Centre years.

The Uni Loonies and the Hawaiian Boys were the start of what became The Red Army.

I am also certain their were parts of the crowd where there were ledges that Wilbur would slide down but also some he would do backflips off which was very entertaining for 13 year old me.

That grand final specifically I remember going with my cousin in our members seats because my parents got into a box on the stage area through Dad's work. My cousin and I had red hair spray for the game and the next day there was a car show at Burswood Dome and we walked around that still with red hair.

So I went to the netball on Saturday instead of the basketball on the Friday.

Took three kids.
Didn't pay anything for the carpark and only had to walk 25m to the front door.
Outside the stadium there were two netball rings manned by "shooting coaches' and any girl(or boy) could step up and have a few shots a get a pointer or two.
Also before I entered there was Kevin the ANZ netball mascot (the ATM with legs).
The kids could a photo with Kevin or just give him a high five.
Walked in, as soon as my tickets were scanned we were all given two blow up "clappers' to smash together during the game.
Sat down and the announcer starting getting the crowd into it by seeing which section (x3) could cheer the loudest.
There was a glossy double page flyer on every second seat that included a bio on two of the players. (I gather you collect them as the season progresses)
On with the game.
At quarter time they called up two young girls for a shooting competetion on court.
Winner got $100 voucher, runner up got a free netball.
At half time they called out four ticket numbers by random and they won a sizeable prize pack.
Game on, finished.
Walked 60 seconds to my car, got in and drove home.

Didn't see any dunks and wasn't sitting with a 4000 strong crowd but don't feel I missed out. (However, I thought I overheard someone say there wasn't a bar at the venue, ETSA Park)

Would I have preferred to drop around $120-$140 to watch the Sixers play and explain to my kids why the home crowd is booing their own team?
Nope.