Vic Youth Championship Finals Previews - Week 1

Vic Youth Championship Men 

Casey Cavaliers vs Nunawading Spectres

Saturday 23^rd July 7.30pm at Casey Stadium

In the first qualifying final for the weekend, we see 1st place from the Watson conference, Casey, face off against 2nd place from the Terril conference, Nunawading. These sides have clashed only once this season which came last week in the final round of the season. Casey came out of that low-scoring, defensive-minded game with a 9-point win.

Last week, Nunawading could not get their 3-point shooting going, only shooting 18.5% for the game, resulting in three fewer 3-point makes compared to Casey. Tony Marchese (14 points and 8 rebounds) and Blake Taylor (12 points and 11 rebounds) proved to be standouts for Casey as they ran over the top of the Spectres last week, winning the last quarter 24-7. For Nunawading, it was Nate Te who was able to keep them in the game with his 15 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists. Head Coach, Andrew West will be looking for more contributors this week if they are to be a chance of turning the result.

Nunawading has a range of scorers on their roster, with Christian D’Angelo and Curtis Brecko not playing last week, will they be back to add their scoring punch? Casey will want to ensure that star player Tony Marchese, who is averaging 18.8ppg and 5rpg, is going to put in another big performance for his Cavaliers. He will no doubt be aptly supported by Justin Ochaya and Blake Taylor who will keep the scoreboard ticking over and try to take control of the rebound count. This is guaranteed to be an incredibly high-level match-up that shouldn’t be missed.

 

Statistical Leaders
Casey			Nunawading
Tony Marchese	18.82ppg	Points Per Game	Christian D’Angelo	19.58ppg
Blake Taylor	6.82rpg	Rebounds Per Game	Lachlan De Mattia	9.5rpg
Blake Taylor	4.06apg	Assists Per Game	Nate Te	4.45apg

 

Knox vs Kilsyth

Saturday 23^rd 8:15pm at Boronia Knox Basketball Centre

In the second of the Qualifying games, we have the 1st placed Knox from Terril to face off against Watson’s 2nd placed Kilsyth. Knox got the win over Kilsyth early in the season by 11. Both teams have made big improvements throughout the season, looking forward to this big match-up.

Back in Round 4, it was Knox who was too much for Kilsyth as everyone pitched in and did their part to take the win. Ryan Fairchild top scored with 18 points as Riley Spicer found a way to impact the game by pulling down 12 rebounds. Young Fraser Roxburgh finished with 11 points shooting 2-2 from 3pt land as Knox showed the league their depth. A very solid performance from Ben Bara with 17 points shooting 40% from the land of plenty and Brad Heywood with a respectful 13-point, 10 rebounds double-double. Kilsyth’s ability to disrupt and force turnovers just wasn’t enough but that was all the way back in round 4 and we are in finals now!

Both teams sealing a double chance, it will come down to the battle of the backcourt. Spicer, Taylor and Shelley vs Bara and Heywood. Zac Moult will be bringing the bite of the Cobras to Knox, but Daniel Smith has all the firepower waiting in the wings to bit back. This will be a massive game, one to keep your eyes peeled for.

 

Statistical Leaders
Ethan Taylor	13.85ppg	Points Per Game	Ben Bara	14.64ppg
Adam Slavnic	8.58rpg	Rebounds Per Game	Brad Heywood	7rpg
Austin Shelley	2.82apg	Assists Per Game	Dyson Sumsion	3.14apg

 

Ringwood vs Diamond Valley

Saturday 23^rd July 6:00pm at The Rings

First, of the two elimination finals for the weekend, we have Watson's 3rd placed Ringwood take on Terril’s 4th placed Diamond Valley at the Rings. Having played each other only once early in the regular season with Diamond Valley coming out on top with a 5-point win in an extremely exciting double overtime win, we look for nothing less than an absolute battle.

With a great all-round performance by the Vic Metro guard Daniel Poelsma putting up 24 points to go along with 8 rebounds and 4 assists, Ringwood’s veteran backcourt of Sebastien Lees and Lachlan Ahale couldn’t quite hold on. Diamond Valley has had a roller coaster of a season missing vital pieces throughout the year, yet with Erik Kafritsas averaging just over 17 points per game and pulling down an average of 8.21 rebounds they’ve managed to keep their season alive with some massive wins along the way. Ringwood on the other hand came home strong winning their last 3 to finish their season. The experience of Lees, Ahale and Angok to go along with the young Harrison Sealey all averaging over 12 points, Ringwood has found form late and looks to charge through finals with long-time coach Russell Lee at the helm.

After not coming up against each other since round 3, this looks to be a great match-up. Diamond Valley looking to find form again after dropping their last 3 and Ringwood looking strong, can we see Mike Torres rally the troops and come out on top or will the Rings home court advantage be too much?

 

Statistical Leaders
Harrison Sealey	17.29ppg	Points Per Game	Erik Kafritsas	17.47ppg
Bayley Rough	9.45rpg	Rebounds Per Game	AJ Magbegor	9.59rpg
Sebastien Lees	5.86apg	Assists Per Game	Erik Kafritsas	4.42apg

 

Ballarat vs Sandringham

Saturday 23^rd July 7:00pm at Selkirk Stadium

In our second elimination final for the weekend, we see Terril’s 3rd placed Ballarat take on Watson’s 4th placed Sandringham in what will be a great hit out. Facing once in the regular season, Ballarat came out with the W over Sandringham by a slim 4 points.

Back in Round 11 saw their battle where Ballarat got over the line in an up-and-down battle. Ballarat had the inclusions of some of their young NBL1 talents with Zac Dunmore, William Hynes and Amos Brooks. Making an immediate impact in the VYC league finishing with 22 points and 9 rebounds for Dunmore, Hynes shooting 100% from the field to finish with 15 points and Brooks tallying 14 points and a crazy defensive effort of 4 blocks. Unfortunately, the 2x Player of the Month Campbell Blogg couldn’t bring his team over the line finishing with a very respectful 19 points, 6 rebounds and 2 steal performance. Sandringham’s strong defensive principles coordinated by Andy Lim couldn’t get the job done but not a lack of trying as Kaylan Kitto finished with a 15-point and 5-steal performance.

Two high scoring powered oppositions ready to face off again with Sandringham coming off 4 on the trot to Ballarat’s split 2 and 2 run home. Sandringham will have to find a way to keep Ballarat’s young NBL1 talents off the scoreboard and get their star athlete Blogg engaged in the battle early.

 

Statistical Leaders
Zac Dunmore	17.56ppg	Points Per Game	Campbell Blogg	20.61ppg
Jeremiah Mckenzie	7.88rpg	Rebounds Per Game	Tom Koppens	11.3rpg
William Hynes	4apg	Assists Per Game	Kobe Davis	2.74apg

 

Vic Youth Championship Women 

Bendigo vs Melbourne

Saturday 23^rd July 6:00pm at Red Energy Arena Bendigo

In the first elimination final for the weekend, we have Terril’s 3rd placed Bendigo hit it out against Watson’s 4th placed Melbourne. Melbourne got the win over Bendigo back in Round 7 by 22 points.

Melbourne was simply too strong for Bendigo back in Round 7 as the pairing of Hayley Cumming and Nyomi Stowers both tallied 21 points. Cumming made an impact across the board with 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 7 steals and 2 blocks whilst Stowers shot 50% from the land of plenty. Melbourne’s aggressive defence meant chaos for Bendigo forcing 29 turnovers for the Braves. Bendigo struggled to make up for the absences of Madeline Sexton, Caitlin Richardson, and Erin Condron as all 3 took on NBL1 commitments. Lavinia Cox stood up and finished with 20 points and Meg McCarthy held her own with a 13-point and 10-rebound double-double. Nathan Batchelor has done a great job with the Braves to keep the ball rolling over and placed his girls in a position to make it to the big dance.

Melbourne coming into this matchup losing 2 of their last 4 as Bendigo take the win over the 2nd placed Keilor to finish their season. Both teams are in and out of form, looking to get the opportunity to play Sunday.

 

Statistical Leaders
Madeline Sexton	15.89ppg	Points Per Game	Hayley Cumming	11.29ppg
Erin Condron	10rpg	Rebounds Per Game	Jessica Tomkins	8.73rpg
Shardae Sharp	5.27apg	Assists Per Game	Hayley Cumming	2.52apg

 

Altona vs Kilsyth

Saturday 23^rd July 7.30pm at Altona Sports Centre

The second elimination game between Watson’s 3rd placed Altona against Terril’s 4th placed Kilsyth looks to be an extremely exciting and close game over at the Gator centre. Altona coming away with the win over Kilsyth back in Round 10 by a slim 3-point margin, this is a game to keep an eye on.

A high scoring 82-79 win for Altona saw 5 players in double figures including their top scorer Alicia Sciberras finishing with 16 points. Impressive performances from Trinity Steele with 15 points and 4 assists shooting over 60% from the field as well as Maya Ganzon with 14 points in just over 17 minutes of action. It appeared to be Altona’s shooting from the great beyond that took them over the line splashing 11 from 27.  Miranda Garter went to work with 20 points and 8 assists going 2 from 3 from 3pt land but it was only Caitlyn Groves who could make another 3pt fall. Kilsyth might have let this slip through their fingers managing to turn the ball over 21 times. Kilsyth cannot be undervalued as they can be consistent across the board making it that much harder to guard when there are multiple scorers.

With Kilsyth struggling to find some form late in the season and Altona making a late charge putting all the pieces together, we are in for a big game. Bella Clark, Miranda Gartner and Gemma Hancock are all big scoring threats, can they work together to get themselves through to the next round or does the experience of Randy Shanklin have Altona clicking too well for Kilsyth to get over the line?

 

Statistical Leaders
Altona			Kilsyth
Alicia Sciberras	12.21ppg	Points Per Game	Bella Clark	14.78ppg
Cassie Dodemaide	9.41rpg	Rebounds Per Game	Bella Clark	9.61rpg
Trinity Steele	3.27apg	Assists Per Game	Erin Burgoyne	4.32apg

 

Casey vs Keilor

Saturday 23^rd July 5:30pm at Casey Stadium

Terril’s 1st placed Casey will welcome Watson’s 2nd placed Keilor to Casey stadium in a big qualifying final on Saturday night. Keilor hosted Casey back in Round 5 where they fell short as Casey finished on top by a slim 7-point margin.

It was Casey’s Lucy Dexter who took control of the fight with a 14-point, 11-rebound double-double to go along with 3 steals and 2 blocks. Assisted by Niamh Donald off the bench with 11 points and 8 rebounds as well as Hayley Wood shooting 100% for the game with her 2 threes. With Rebecca Peacock unable to hit the scoreboard in the Round 5 hit out, averaging 9 points this season, we’ll keep an eye out for her impact this weekend. Will Casey’s leading scorer Dakota Crichton continue her onslaught, averaging 17.85 points and 9.15 points and carry them through to the next round? Keilor struggled to put the ball in the basket in Round 5 even with a large number of scores for the game. It was Caitlyn Peterson who took the sport light finishing with 21 points. Can Trevor Burnette bring the girls together and knock off the firing Casey Cavaliers or will they be too much?

Keilor dropped their last game to Bendigo after winning 4 in a row whilst Casey hasn’t dropped a game since way back in Round 7 to Dandenong. Are Keilor able to break this long winning streak of Casey’s, or will their momentum coming in be too much for the Thunder?

 

Statistical Leaders
Casey			Keilor
Dakota Crichton	17.85ppg	Points Per Game	Grace Graham	17,27ppg
Kyra Webb	11.8rpg	Rebounds Per Game	Meg Lucas	9.8rpg
Lucy Dexter	3.94apg	Assists Per Game	Jaz Salon	4.29apg

 

Nunawading Spectres vs Hume Broncos

Saturday 23^rd July 3.30pm at Nunawading Basketball Stadium

The 1st place Nunawading Spectres from the Terril conference will welcome the 2nd placed Hume Broncos from the Watson conference to Nunawading Basketball Stadium for a Saturday afternoon blockbuster. These teams have gone into battle once this season at Broadmeadows Basketball Stadium with Nunawading coming out on top with a convincing 24-point win in Round 12.

In their last encounter, it was Stephanie Wales who controlled the game with 16 points and 15 rebounds, aptly supported by Emma Schmidtke with 14 points and 5 rebounds. For Hume, the standouts from their Round 12 game was Chrisoula Triantafyllopoulos who delivered 18 points and 6 steals in what was the only shining light for Hume from that game. Triantafyllopoulos will be hoping to be supported by Emma Povh and Eliza Ogilvie who have contributed strongly all season despite being quiet in their previous match-up. With Stephanie Wales no longer with Nunawading, as she explores AFLW opportunities, it has been Stephanie Georgantas who has stepped up to support Schmidtke to keep the scoreboard ticking over for her team.

Whilst Nunawading has been at the top of the competition for the entire season, their last 5 weeks have shown that there are potentially some cracks that can be exposed. Hume is entering the finals series on a 4-game win streak so their confidence is sky-high coming into this game, and they will certainly be looking to cause an upset.

 

Statistical Leaders
Nunawading			Hume
Taylah Schmidtke	10.88ppg	Points Per Game	Emma Povh	18.16ppg
Neave Hancock-Wolfe	6.43rpg	Rebounds Per Game	Chrisoula Triantafyllopoulos	10.47rpg
Taylah Schmidtke	3.25apg	Assists Per Game	Amalia Triantafyllopoulos	2.42apg