Round 7 is looking like an epic PINK weekend! Check out our Games of the Week previews below:
CM
Camberwell v Keysborough
On Saturday night we have the 7th-placed Camberwell Dragons hosting the 5th-placed Keysborough Cougars at Balwyn High School. This is an important game for both of these teams at this stage in the season for different reasons; the Dragons need to win to stay in the hunt for finals, whilst Keysborough need to keep winning to try and pull away from the middle pack that are chasing them. The match-up to watch in this one will be the young and springy Jay Mackenzie going head-to-head with rebounding machine Leonard Harper-Baker. Harper-Baker has been averaging 13 points to go with his 14.6 rebounds a game but will need to work for every single one this weekend against Mackenzie. For the Dragons, they’ll be hoping young shooter Ben Crowe can find some of his early season shooting form to get the scoreboard ticking over.
CW
McKinnon v Bulleen
This week the 4th-placed McKinnon Cougars host the 2nd-placed Bulleen Boomers at Glen Eira Sports and Aquatics Centre. After a disappointing start to the season, the Cougars have started to find their feet, completing a massive come-from-behind win last round against newcomers Camberwell. It was Morgan Riley who stepped up giving the Cougars the much-needed support behind Emily Suckling and Briana Gray, if she can continue that form then the Cougars will continue trending in the right direction as the season goes on. For Bulleen Boomers, they are coming off the back of their first loss for the season against ladder leaders Wyndham. Olivia Bontempelli has been outstanding for the Boomers again this season averaging 20 points to go with 7 rebounds, whilst showing outstanding leadership for her new-look team in 2023. You cannot miss this one, head down to GESAC to check it out!
D1M
Warrnambool v Warrandyte
Warrnambool will be hosting the Warrandyte Venom this weekend as the Seahawks pain the town PINK. Warrandyte are coming off a successful weekend just gone, earning themselves two close wins against Bulleen and Chelsea. They were well led by scoring machine Michael Birt II, whilst Matthew Scammell also stood up with consecutive big games to provide the necessary support for Birt that has been missing at times. Warrnambool on the other hand are coming off a big loss against Championship fancies Pakenham. The Seahawks would’ve expected to be there or thereabouts with the ladder leaders at season's end so we anticipate them to come out with a point to prove this week. Alex Gynes and Jamal Pollydore will be out with a point to prove, watch out Warrandyte!
D1W
Western Port v Craigieburn
The real test has come for the surging Craigieburn Eagles as they face the top-of-the-table Western Port Steelers on Saturday Night at Somerville Recreation Centre. The Eagles are one of the in-form teams in the competition after an unexpected 0-2 start to their campaign. Courtney Strait has been pivotal to their campaign and we anticipate the match-up between her and Rachel Winters this game will be exciting to watch. For Western Port, they will look to veteran Rachael Wansbrough to dominate the boards once again to help them take control of this one, Coach Seidel from Craigieburn will no doubt be planning hard to curb her influence on this one.
D2M
Wallan v Altona
This weekend the 4th placed Wallan Panthers host the 2nd placed Altona Gators which came as an easy choice of game of the week this week. Altona have started the season in an exciting fashion led by new recruits Adam Anderson and Nick Patel who create one of the toughest backcourts in the whole division. They have been well supported by star big man, Samson Rocker who continues to improve on last year's form. For Wallan, it has been Tyler Best and Arcaim Lallemand doing the damage all season, keeping the scoreboard ticking over for the Panthers. They will be looking for more from prized recruits Keenan Gorski and Tom O’Connor, once these two get going that is going to be a very difficult team to slow down. Hopefully, for the Gators, this isn’t the week those two get going!
D2W
Blackburn v Coburg
The 4th placed Blackburn Vikings will host the 6th place Coburg Giants this weekend as the Giants try to stay in touch with the top 4. The Giants displayed some much-improved performances across the last couple of weeks, taking it right to both Gippsland United and Surf Coast in the one weekend for two very narrow losses. They’ll be kicking themselves that they weren’t able to overcome Collingwood last game as they fight it out for a similar position on the ladder. The Blackburn Vikings are coming off the back of a huge upset win against Surf Coast who have been at the top of the table for the whole year, they were led by stalwarts Isabella Nolen and Rebecca Cunningham in that one and will be looking towards them for big games again this weekend.
VYCM
Kilsyth vs Melbourne
A massive game in our Pink Round as we find a 1 vs 2 in a tight and competitive Watson conference with the Kilsyth Cobras hosting the Melbourne Tigers. Both groups with just the one loss for the year, both coming from their own conference, and both putting up big numbers in each outing. Tigers will most likely be at full strength with their NBL1 unit not playing until Sunday, expect coach Gaze to roll out his full group including his son Mason Gaze and Taj Chehhal. Ben Bara for Kilsyth has had a crazy beginning to the year shooting 42% from deep averaging 16ppg with Lachie Vander Vorm just one rebound shy of a double-double average. If Melbourne takes this game out, they will jump in from Kilsyth to take first place in the Watson conference, do you think they can do it?
VYCW
Altona vs Diamond Valley
A long and lengthy Diamond Valley side will be welcomed by the Gators in a 2nd vs 3rd battle over in the Watson conference. Altona have played one game less yet are just 19 points behind Diamond Valley in points thus far this year. Their scoring options from their starting 5 and bench make this Gators unit very hard to guard with Alicia Sciberras at the helm averaging 14ppg shooting 40% from the field. She will have her work cut out for herself as this Diamond Valley group have players who can guard multiple positions and play a variety of ways. With new integrations this year, adding to their depth, this is a team to recognise and will be around later in the year.
YL1M
Bulleen vs Keysborough
A very special and meaningful game we find ourselves in Youth One Men with the ‘Will Hoole Memorial Trophy Game’ played between Bulleen and Keysborough. Once was a senior’s game, it is great to see this can be continued through the youth sides as it is so much more than a basketball game. Sitting 6th and 7th there is no doubt this will be a competitive battle as the passion and desire to make Will Hoole and the community proud will be at the forefront of everyone’s head. The Uhr-Henry brothers Josh and Jamie will be crucial to the Boomer's success adding value in various ways on the court. Jacob Oryem has also been impressive for the Cougars average a team-high 16ppg and looking to get his boys over the line. Start the conversation if you are not ok! 1. Ask R U OK? 2. Listen 3. Encourage Action 4. Check in.
YL1W
Warrandyte vs Sunbury
A chance for both teams to kick start a winning streak and get themselves in a groove, Warrandyte take on Sunbury as a crucial game for each side. Warrandyte are unable to get a win this season and Sunbury with just the 1, this will mean a lot to either team as it can generate momentum and spark a flame in their seasons. Sunbury hasn’t had the start they would have liked after moving down from VYC, losing players and struggling to string some wins together, yet they have the talent to make a turn and pick their season up. Warrandyte in a similar boat having some difficult games come and go yet are improving each week. Who will be the team to make the turn and restart their season this weekend?
YL2M
Maccabi vs Melbourne University
A local rivalry brewing in Youth Two Men with 2 local metro associations Maccabi and Melbourne University take on one another for the first time. Melbourne University have been surprising this year shocking the competition as real competitors for finals contention. Josh McNally had brought the experience back after playing in senior competition as well as Nick Kiefer. Ben Fewster found himself on the starting 5 not too long ago letting the league know he must be challenged on all occasions. Maccabi on the other hand have had a massive turnaround since last year with Jarred Fibishenko at the helm once again. Dropping their first loss last weekend they will be eager to get back on a winning streak in a special Pink Round!
YL2W
Southern Peninsula vs Mornington
A time of the year in which family celebrations are high and love is shared for our mothers, Southern Peninsula will add their touch on the court with their Pink Round uniforms as they take on the Mornington Breakers at home. A meaningful game will make for an exciting game inside the lines as Southern Peninsula will look to string a second win together as Big V moves into the thick of the season whilst Mornington hope to break a 2 game-losing streak here and now. Eryn Rosowski has been nothing but incredible thus far with a 14-point 20 rebound average across their 8 games. Mornington have continued to develop a strong group with multiple scorers both outside the starting 5 with the likes of Kijana Katramados and Charli Hayes. Madison Smith has been another who continues to add value where she can off the bench averaging almost 8 points in just 14 minutes. As we all know, all our mothers will be forever proud, but who will make them prouder with a win on a special Pink Round?
