Written by Elly Kirlis, 2024 BV Rookie Reporter Program
Round 8 saw some of bottom ranked teams secure victories, teams continue to be on the rise and teams continuing their winning ways.
Bellarine (70) def McKinnon
In a thrilling encounter from start to finish, the Bellarine Storm secured their eighth victory of the season. Whilst most of the first half was won by the Cougars, leading at the half-time break by just 2 points, the Storm surged in the second half going on a 14-point run in the middle of the third led by Chantelle Hall. McKinnon briefly took the lead back before Virt snatched it back within 30 seconds, but it was Courtney Strait who made it a 2-possession game going 2 from 2 from the line with under 10 seconds left. Georgia Varley finished as the top scorer for the Storm, with 20 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks. A’Lexxus Davis, the top scorer for the Cougars, with 28 points, 18 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 assist and 1 block.
Sunbury (102) def Warrnambool (78)
It was all Sunbury from the first quarter as they set themselves up the victory off a 27-14 first quarter. Making a 10-6 run in the first, the Jets continued their momentum in the second taking a 13-point lead at half time. A 9-0 run leading into 3 quarter time seemed to have sealed the game as they traded buckets throughout the 4th. Chloe Hildebrand had an excellent game, 30 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals. Veronika Mirkovic with 28 points, 14 rebounds, 6 assists, 5 steals. Chloe Angove, 14 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists. Mia Mills and Dakota Crichton both top scored for the Mermaids, both finishing with 15 and 10 points respectively.
Wyndham (121) def Hume City (46)
It is safe to say this is a game Hume City would like to forget as Wyndham rolled over the Broncos taking the W by 75. Heaving up 52 3s for the game, Wyndham shot 46% from the land of plenty, an insane stat considering how many were put up. Lauren Jones top scored for Wyndham, 28 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 assist. Julie Brosseau, 27 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals. Amanda Paschal, 25 points, 16 rebounds, 7 assists and 1steal. Megan Ormiston top scored for the Broncos, 13 points, 10 rebounds, four steals and one assist.
Pakenham (78) def Sherbrooke (65)
The Warriors secured their fifth win of the season, defeating the Suns by 13 points. The Warriors shot 38.5% from three with up-and-coming star Gallagher drilling 3 of her own coming off the bench. With four of the Warriors in the starting five in double figures, the Warriors went on a 16-5 run in the second quarter. Bree Whatman top scored for the Warriors with 18 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Mel Prior, 17 points, 8 rebounds, four 4, 1 steal and 1 block. Breanna Mackenzie, 16 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists and 1 steal. Alicia Carline top scored for the Suns, 27 points, 16 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks and 1 steal.
Bulleen (96) def Camberwell (50)
The Bulleen Boomers bounced back on the winners list, defeating the Dragons by 46 points. The Boomers shot the ball well at a high volume from two-point range, 58%, 42% from three, 40-21 points in the paint, going on a 13-5 scoring run in the first half to set up the victory. Amy Baum and Keli Romas both finished with 15 points each, top scoring for the Boomers. Sarah Beveridge was influential off the bench, 18 points, 4 assists, 4 steals and 1 rebound. Bella Niven-Brown, 11 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 1 block. Rachael Smith and Emily Whitehouse top scored for the Dragons with 9 points each.
Sherbrooke (89) def McKinnon (75)
The Suns bounced back on the winners list, defeating the Cougars by 14 points. In a tightly contested first half with the Suns leading at half time, the Suns won the second half, 50-40. The Suns shot the ball at 48% from two, 36-26 points in the paint, 16-11 second chance points. Alicia Carline top scored for the Suns, 28 points, 13 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block. Kiara Phillips with 22 points and Miranda Gartner with 12 points. Amy Patton and Emily Suckling top scored for the Cougars, finishing with 15 and 14 points respectively.
