Round 12 of Championship is now wrapped up. We had some tight games this previous weekend, and some amazing performances from our athletes on court. Keysborough continued their winning streak; Camberwell were relieved to get a win on the board and Blackburn still not able to get the victory they’re chasing.
Wyndham (110) def Bellarine (102)
Wyndham seems to be just about unstoppable. Just when Bellarine thought they had the win in the bag, they lost the lead in the final quarter with six minutes on the clock, resulting in Wyndham running away with the victory by 8. The game was full of intensity and both teams had outstanding performances, Storm’s Green continued to be ruthless across both ends of the court, finishing with 34 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists, Wyndham could not catch him. Wyndham were in a deficit of 10 Points leading into in the final quarter but an outstanding scoring run of 17 at 77% ultimately won them the game. Wyndham's applied pressure may have come later but it came in time to take home a win with duo Ayilara and Jones going on a shooting spree. In the end, it was Bellarine’s scoring accuracy that let them down. Wyndham have now won 14-2 of their games this season.
Mckinnon (114) def Blackburn (90)
The fourth win in a row for the Cougars saw them defend their home court against Blackburn on Saturday night. A very strong start from the winning side was enough for Blackburn to fall behind the whole game. Mckinnon’s Maharaj continues to stand out at 42% efficiency, 27 points and a huge 18 rebounds. Essentially going head-to-head with Blackburn’s Martin who had 26 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds and 2 steals. It was in the second quarter that Blackburn went on a 7-point scoring run to be in just a small 2-point deficit. Maharaj owned the court to put the Cougars back in front by 20 in a shootout in the third to help them solidify a win. Unfortunately for Blackburn, they have now lost their last 5 games.
Hume City (104) def Shepparton (75)
Shepparton hosted Hume City at home on Saturday night. The game started strong for both sides, 23 points for both in the first term and 24-30 in the second term. The game then started to slip away from the Gators come the third term, struggling to get the ball in their front court and when they did, the Bronco’s pressure halted their scoring, and the Gators ultimately couldn't get the score needed onto the board. Bronco’s exhibited superior shooting percentages across the board, which showed their ability to convert efficiently from inside the arc. McKinney owns the court yet again with 27 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds and Trevon Clayton who finished with a double double. Ultimately, the Gator’s couldn't keep up with Bronco’s defensive efforts, which disrupted their offensive rhythm throughout the game and unable to find a way to win, still chasing a finals spot.
Pakenham (106) def Camberwell (83)
What started as a strong start for both teams was shortly lived with the Warriors taking down the Dragons on Saturday night. At the end of first quarter, the margin was only 1 point, all thanks to Warriors Fredrickson coming in hot with two 3-pointers to help get them ahead. After a tight first quarter, Pakenham’s lead swelled to 11 points at half time before dominating the third quarter with 18 points in the paint to put them ahead by 21. Defensively, Pakenham was effective, limiting Camberwell’s scoring options and forcing 15 turnovers. After a slow second and third quarters from Camberwell, the team came out on fire in the fourth on an 8-point scoring run which was too late for them to come back. Liesegang stayed busy for Camberwell, shooting 25 points at 58% but the Pakenham trio of Morton (22 points), McNiff (18 points) and Dow (16 points) ultimately sealed the win by 27 points.
Keysborough (89) def Sunbury (80)
In a thrilling match, Keysborough emerged victorious over Sunbury. Despite a strong fourth-quarter surge by Sunbury, Keysborough’s consistent performance across the first three quarters secured their win. Cougar’s Newby delivered an outstanding game, leading all scorers with 31 points on an impressive 76.92% shooting, along with 11 rebounds. His efficiency and dominance in the paint were pivotal. Williams notched a double-double (17 points, 10 rebounds). On the other side, Marshall was Sunbury’s standout player, scoring 25 points and grabbing 8 rebounds. Despite these efforts, Sunbury struggled with their shooting, sitting at 36.25%. Keysborough’s ability to capitalise on free throws and maintain a higher shooting percentage overall proved decisive. Additionally, their rebounding strength limited Sunbury’s second-chance opportunities, sealing their win despite Sunbury’s late push. Keysborough have now won 4 of their last 5.
Camberwell (94) def Mckinnon (92)
Camberwell edged out McKinnon with a thrilling 94-92 victory. This game was a nail-biter from start to finish, showcasing intense competition and high-level play from both teams. Mckinnon dominated the first quarter to lead by 8 with stars Maharaj and Wooten shooting 18 points combined. The remainder of the game stayed tight until the final seconds with zero margin, but a late foul from Cougar’s Barry gave the Dragon’s Veitch the ability to win the game from free throws - which he did following a time out. Cougars attempted a layup with 1 second on the clock but it missed, and Camberwell took home victory. Elder led the team with 17 points, Crowe added 16 points. Despite Camberwell’s efforts, McKinnon put up a fierce fight. Wooten's 28 points and 10 rebounds demonstrated his all-around ability. The match was decided in the final moments and is a must-watch game if you missed it.
Western Port (101) def Bellarine (86)
In an incredible upset, Western Port and Bellarine went head-to-head in an intense and closely contested match on Sunday afternoon. The match was closely contested throughout, but Western Port took home victory with a final score of 101-86. Western Port managed to extend their lead in the third quarter. The Steeler’s offense was led by standout performances from their key players, who exhibited a mix of perimeter shooting and strong inside play. Bellarine matched them stride for stride, maintaining the pressure and keeping the game within reach until the very end. Permenter with a stunning performance for the Steelers, hitting 25 points 17 rebounds and 2 assists. Bellarine's effort was equally commendable, with their top scorers showing resilience and determination. Green was head-to-head with Permenter - 25 points and 14 rebounds. Storm's defensive efforts, especially in the game's later stages were instrumental in keeping the scoreline tight; however, Western Port were too efficient in using the ball in their front court to get numbers on the board. Despite the win, both teams have equally lost 3 of their last 5 games.
Hume City (100) def Melbourne University (95)
In the last game of Round 12, third placed Hume City managed a comeback from 16 points down. Melbourne went on a 11-point scoring run, shooting 18 points in the paint within the first quarter to give them a 14-point margin. However, Hume City came in hot to deliver an outstanding performance, particularly in the second and third quarters, where they scored 36 and 31 points respectively. Clayton led the team with a double-double, contributing 19 points and 14 rebounds. McKinney was instrumental with 26 points, Stone shooting 5/9 3PTS as well. Hume City's aggressive play and dominance on the boards, securing 44 rebounds while also forcing 12 turnovers were crucial in maintaining their lead. Melbourne University fought valiantly, with notable a performance from Mahboobi emerging as their top scorer with 20 points, showcasing his all-around game with 6 rebounds and 3 assists. Despite their efforts, Melbourne University's struggles in the third quarter, scoring only 17 points, ultimately cost them the game.
You can view our First Teams of the week here.
You can view our Second Teams of the week here.
Photo credits: @torchchavez
