The Country Basketball League (CBL) is underway right across Victoria!
Round 1 and Round 2 have seen many close games and strong performances spread across the eight conferences. Let’s have a look at which teams have had a hot start to the 2022/2023 season.
Gippsland Men
Traralgon sits in the top spot after convincing wins in Rounds 1 and 2. The T-Birds started with a 110-79 win at Lakes Entrance led by Zac Bezzina (27 points) and Frazar Brouns (25 points). Ben Barlow (24 points), Christian D’Angelo (17 points) and Kody Tibballs (17 points) then performed well in the 94-79 victory at home against Maffra. Mehmed Bektas (26 points) played brilliantly for the Eagles in the loss.
Southern Peninsula has also won its first two games so far. Corey Hastings (28 points) and Daniel Munns (20 points) dazzled at home in a 95-79 triumph against Morwell in Round 1, with Jordan Canovan (39 points) valiant for the visitors. Round 2 saw the Sharks travel to Warragul for a fantastic game of basketball. A dominant fourth quarter helped Southern Peninsula come from behind to win 99-94 with Corey Hastings (31 points) again leading by example. Jayden McMillin (23 points) and Thomas Portbury (19 points) were effective for the Warriors.
Moe defeated Warragul at home in Round 1 to be the third and final unbeaten team so far in the Gippsland Men’s conference. Thomas Portbury (20 points) and Riley Morehu (18 points) led the Warriors but the Meteors were 100-90 victors thanks largely to the scoring of Austin Shelley (41 points).
Gippsland Women
Korumburra finds themselves in first after securing three wins across Rounds 1 and 2. Alahna Arnason (19 points) and Krystal Arnason (17 points) led the way towards a 101-35 victory at Pakenham. The Wildcats then travelled to Wonthaggi and defeated the Coasters 58-48 with Korumburra’s Chloe Hogg (17 points) and Wonthaggi’s Kelly O’Neill (15 points) battling it out. Performances from Shanara Notman (17 points) and Rebecca Orwin (15 points) were not enough for Warragul to secure a win on their home floor, with Korumburra and Chloe Hogg (22 points) leaving winners 70-57.
Traralgon is two wins from two games after two comfortable victories. Lakes Entrance was no match for the T-Birds who won 84-43 as Samantha Labros (31 points), Joanna Watson (18 points) and Liesl Sexton (17 points) all showed their skills in the Round 1 matchup. Emily Scholtes (21 points) led Traralgon to a 77-58 success over Maffra with Sienna Wynd (22 points) and Paige Biddle (18 points) unable to get the Eagles over the line.
Moe also triumphed at home against Warragal in their only CBL game so far. A strong team performance with all players scoring was enough for the Meteors to win 59-49 over Rebecca Orwin (21 points) and the Warriors.
North East Men
Wallan sits in first with one win against Wodonga in Round 2. The Panthers finished the game 67-47 with Ryan Philippe (25 points) contributing a large bunch of points. All players scoring for the Wolves was not enough to steal the victory.
Benalla is currently unbeaten with three wins to their name. The Breakers hosted Albury in an exciting down to the wire first game of the season. Lachlan Kego (21 points), Eric Miraflores (19 points) and Sam Beks (17 points) propelled Benalla to victory 87-84 over Jack Saunders (27 points) and the Cougars. Benalla then ventured to Myrtleford and Mansfield for Round 2. Eric Miraflores (39 points) and Sam Beks (20 points) starred for the Coasters as they defeated Myrtleford 87-71. Tyler Barker (30 points) played well for the Saints. Tom Downie (24 points) guided Benalla to the 87-63 win at Mansfield in their second game of Round 2.
Albury got their first-ever CBL win in Round 2 against Myrtleford. The Cougars won 91-81 with Jack Duck (23 points) and Samuel Hawkins (20 points) scorching the net.
North East Women
Seymour is first on the ladder after defeating Shepparton 91-36. Tayha Watkins (30 points) and Maddison Ford (20 points) led the way for the Blasters as they stole the victory on the road.
Wodonga has started the season nicely as they are unbeaten with two wins. The Lady Wolves triumphed against Wangaratta at home 69-43 thanks to a strong showing from Rachel Jeffery (22 points). Wodonga also won at home against Wallan 57-38 in Round 2 due to strong all-around team performances.
It was a massive success for Albury as they won their first-ever CBL game 74-48 as Myrtleford visited the Lauren Jackson Sports Centre. Jade McCowan (27 points) put on a show for the home fans.
North West Men
Melton has had the perfect start to their first-ever CBL season, remaining unbeaten after two games. The Thoroughbreds hosted Echuca in their first game and came out victors 84-45. Liam Allison (15 points), Bol Bak (14 points) and Cooper McIntosh (13 points) lifted Melton to victory with Staci Richardson (18 points) performing for the Pirates. The Thoroughbreds travelled to Swan Hill in Round 2, winning 95-59. Matthew Gardner (18 points) was valiant for the Flyers but Koby Skenderis (23 points) and Cooper McIntosh (20 points) proved too good to overcome.
Mildura came out firing in their only game so far, defeating Kyneton 101-70 at home. Tarryn Shaddock (21 points) and Josh Bailey (15 points) helped the Heat get the win. The Tigers were led by Brendan McCarthy (15 points) and Harrison Rogers (14 points) in the loss.
Maryborough has also started strong by winning two games in Round 1. The Blazers first hosted and defeated Macedon Rangers 79-70 thanks to solid play from Rhys Brown (18 points), Brady Niell (15 points) and Matt Johnston (15 points). Jacob Poyser (24 points) was great for the Rockies. Maryborough then backed that game up with a 91-73 win the next day against Castlemaine. Josiah Pattinson (23 points) and the Cannons were unable to compete with Matt Johnston (19 points), Rhys Brown (19 points), Lachlan Drummond (18 points) and the rest of the Blazers line-up.
North West Women
Maryborough is in first place after a dominant 100-44 win over Macedon Rangers. Maddison Egan (27 points) and Claire Blower (25 points) starred for the Lady Blazers at home.
Kyneton must be happy with their undefeated start after two games. The Lady Tigers travelled to Mildura for Round 1 and claimed the victory 90-67. Adrienne Cameron (17 points) then led the charge as Kyneton overcome Swan Hill 75-39 at home.
Bendigo secured a win in their only game so far this season. Led by Sharna Appleby (21 points), the Braves conquered Bacchus Marsh on the road 64-48. Ella Bradbury (12 points) and Jordan Wilson (12 points) put in quality performances for the Lions.
Just like the men, Melton remains unbeaten after two games. The Thoroughbreds hosted Echuca in their first-ever CBL matchup and secured a 64-56 victory. Jessica Kivimets (22 points) and Trinity Steele (19 points) set the tone for Melton with Jayda Richardson (14 points) and Claire Byrne (13 points) leading the way for Echuca. The Thoroughbreds then made the journey to Swan Hill, leaving 66-52 victors. Zoe Morris (14 points) played well for the Flyers but Mackenzie Reddrop (24 points) and Ella Macleod (16 points) proved too good.
South West Men
Ararat sits on top of the ladder after a win in Round 1 and a forfeit in Round 2. The Redbacks hosted Warrnambool and won 83-46, with Zac Dunmore (29 points) and Joshua Fiegert (19 points) lighting up the stat sheet.
Mt Gambier was successful in their trip to Portland, winning 100-77. Kane de Wit (29 points) and Ben Young (26 points) controlled the game for the Lakers while Sam Peters (19 points) and Nathan Hardingham (19 points) put forward a solid effort for the Coasters.
Terang also remains unbeaten with one win to their name. Led by Ryley Hutchins (22 points), the Tornadoes triumphed 77-86 against Surfcoast. Christopher Eichler (18 points) was a bright spark for the Chargers in the defeat.
Horsham rounds out the unbeaten teams, after a close battle with Warrnambool. Guided by Austin Mckenzie (28 points), the Hornets managed a 74-70 come-from-behind win at Warrnambool. Riley Nicolson (23 points) and Harry McGorm (20 points) played well for the losing home team.
South West Women
Surfcoast is currently in first after winning 77-47 at home against Terang. Rhi Davis (19 points) performed well for the Tornadoes but Sienna McCumber (13 points), Ashleigh Rozenfeld (13 points) and the Chargers proved to be too difficult of an opponent.
Warrnambool also secured a victory in their only game so far this season. The Mermaids put on a show for the home fans, winning 69-51 against Horsham. Matilda Sewell (14 points) and Susie Morris (14 points) shone for Warrnambool while Emalie Iredell (25 points) worked hard for the Hornets.
Mt Gambier has started the young season well with a win coming from their only game so far. The Lakers claimed a 93-69 victory on the road in Portland, helped by a stunning display from Sarah Ritter (28 points). Tyleah Barr (20 points) led the Coasters in the loss.
