For a young association on the rise, Bacchus Marsh Basketball Association notched yet accomplishment into their history.
For the first time in its short time in the Country Basketball League, Bacchus Marsh had winners with both its women’s and men’s teams. The Lions took the 71-59 victory over Kyneton to celebrate the debut victory of the women’s team, fresh to the league in 2021/22.
Kyneton was gallant against Bacchus Marsh in spite of a roster decimated by illness, unavailability and players off at tournament ball. With only six available on Saturday night, the Tigers fought hard to take an early lead through Brooke Mangan (16 points) and Jessica Mangan (18 points), as well as some perimeter pressure and closely-guarded defending.
But the Lions had too much in their arsenal and kept the tempo high to tire out the depleted Tigers down the stretch. Jordan Wilson (17 points), Chelsea Randich (13 points) and Debra Ogston (12 points) piled on the pressure to earn the first win for the blue and orange brigade.
“It’s a really exciting time to be involved in the first season of Women’s CBL at Bacchus Marsh and now to record our first win,” Bacchus Marsh coach Grace Gibby said. “We weren’t sure at what stage we would take the points and to get the monkey off the back early has instilled great confidence and belief amongst our team.
“It’s pretty cool that this group have all played their part in creating a bit of history at the Bacchus Marsh Basketball Association.
“We hope we can continue with the on court success while we build a pathway for senior rep basketball at Bacchus Marsh - it is certainly a great time to be a Lion and a Lion cub!”
In other games across the North West Women’s Conference, Mildura edged out Bendigo in a 79-77 thriller at the Toyota Hothouse. Bendigo stormed home late through the shooting of Taylor Stibbe (30 points) and Meg McCarthy (18 points), in an impressive effort from the seven-strong lineup, but the Heat was too strong at home with Alannah Morello (35 points) having a field day alongside Olivia Knights (23 points).
Echuca was too strong for Swan Hill with a 79-67 win. Zara Pearson (22 points) continued her rampage throughout the conference alongside Erin Florance (22 points) while Demi Wall (21 points) led from the front for the Flyers. Swan Hill’s weekend didn’t get any better on Sunday with a home town 36-77 loss to Bendigo. Caitlin Richardson (18 points) and Meg McCarthy (18 points) starred for the Braves alongside Brianna Burt (15 points).
NORTH WEST MEN
Bacchus Marsh shone against Kyneton on the road to carry on the great start to the night by the Lions’ Women’s team. The 101-56 win had its ups and downs for the Lions, but in the end the firepower across the roster was too much for the Tigers to handle as Jackson Jones (16 points), Jaz Martinez (15 points) and Blake Allison (14 points) led from the front. Brendan McCarthy (15 points) and Fraser Ampulski (15 points) toiled for the Tigers in the hard night at the office.
Taking its first win as a CBL team, Macedon Ranges proved too powerful for Kyneton in the first cross-town showdown. The neighbours in the hills squared off at Woodend for the first time, with the bragging rights going to the Rockies in a 112-45 triumph. William Feben (40 points) had it on a string throughout the game alongside Thomas Scott (15 points), while Jared Thompson (19 points) was the best of the Tigers.
In other results, Macedon Ranges was bested 60-80 on Saturday by Maryborough, Swan Hill edged Echuca in a 53-52 point thriller and backed it up to best Bendigo 68-62 on Sunday while Bendigo’s Saturday night fared much better as the Braves knocked over Mildura 81-76.
NORTH EAST MEN
Wallan opened its winning account with a 81-71 triumph over Wodonga as Ryan Philippe (23 points) and Cameron Creasey (20 points) carried on their merry ways for the Panthers while Wolves’ duo Samuel Hawkins (21 points) and Toby Cossor (19 points) were the visitors’ best.
Seymour carried on from where it left off last week with a 70-52 victory over Mansfield. The CBL newcomers were bravely led by Nick Wilcox (11 points) and Brad Whelan (nine points), but in the end the Blasters had too many tricks up their sleeves through the likes of Tyler Best (15 points) and Jordan Hockley (13 points).
Benalla knocked over Mansfield to round out a weekend to forget for the Eagles in a 97-50 tearaway. Sharing the scores around, Eric Miraflores (22 points), Lachlan Kego (17 points) and Corry Westbury (16 points) proved a potent trio for the Breakers while Nick Wilcox (16 points) and Dylan Konig (15 points) shone for the visitors.
NORTH EAST WOMEN
While there was only one round in the North East Women’s Conference this week, it more than made up for the lack of games with the quality of a 79-77 nailbiting victory for the Panthers. The Wallan women continued to make the most of its strong start to the season with Carley Cranston (23 points) and Kaitlyn Wakartschuk (20 points) doing the heavy lifting. Jade McCowan (25 points) and Amelia Hassett (22 points) shone for the visiting Wolves.
SOUTH WEST MEN
Terang took the points on Sunday afternoon in an 83-70 triumph over Surfcoast. The night belonged to the young Tornadoes’ stars as Jake Bartlett (27 points) and Ryley Hutchins (19 points) shone under difficult circumstances, with Justin Wallace and Scott Judd unable to take to the court. Rhys Creed (18 points) and Max Eastmure (15 points) led the way for the Chargers.
The Tornadoes couldn’t say the same for Saturday night with a 70-91 loss to Portland in spite of the best efforts of Jake Bartlett (18 points) and Ryley Hutchins (12 points), while the Coasters were led by the one-two punch of Jackson Dunlop (16 points) and Nathan Hardingham (15 points).
Mt Gambier forfeited to Surfcoast on Saturday night.
SOUTH WEST WOMEN
Mt Gambier dampened spirits at Surfcoast’s home stadium debut with a 79-49 win. While Wurdi Baierr Stadium looked magnificent and was packed with plenty of home town faithful cheering on their newly formed Caosters, it was not meant to be a fairytale first outing as the Lakers stormed home. Olivia Wormald (18 points) and Ambah Beveridge (13 points) led the way for the Lakers while Sienna McCumber (15 points) was best of the Coasters.
Portland put away Terang convincingly in an 89-33 triumph led by Alan Strom (22 points) and Sarah Tunstall (18 points) while Grace Taylor (11 points) was the best of the Tornadoes.
GIPPSLAND MEN
Moe split the points across the weekend with a 68-79 loss to Churchill on Saturday night tempered by an impressive 94-80 win over Korumburra on Sunday. Jordan Canovan (25 points) led the way for the Blue Devils while Jayden Van Dyk (15 points) was top of the pops for the Meteors. In the run-back victory on Sunday, a shared scoring performance was led by Simon Vannapraseuth (18 points) and Ben Van Dyk (15 points) while the Wildcats were led by Vin Monaghan (24 points).
Warragul continued its unblemished start to life this season with an 87-74 triumph over Traralgon, led by Mike Santo (19 points), Luke McKenzie (18 points) and Jarryd Moss (17 points). Ben Barlow (33 points) excelled for the T-Birds.
Maffra took the points over Lakes Entrance in an 102-85 high-scoring thriller at home. Coby Burgiel (29 points) and Andrew Quirk (25 points) shot the lights out for the Eagles.
GIPPSLAND WOMEN
Was not a lot in it as Maffra and Lakes Entrances battled it out for a 62-52 win to the Eagles. Kaylah Dunstan (17 points) was best of the Eagles while Tayler Hardman (30 points) shone for the Eagles.
Korumburra took an impressive 63-42 win over Moe on Sunday afternoon with the heavy lifting coming via Chloe Hogg (16 points) and Brylee Angwin (15 points). Danielle Davies (17 points) was the best from Moe’s depleted roster.
