Written by Maddy Ryan, Andrew West
MEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISON:
Keysborough (102) def. Wyndham (84)
A 1 v 2 clash on a Friday Night showcasing the talented Wyndham host Keysborough proved to be a thrilling battle. Both units got out of the gates quickly, looking to be a high scoring game before Keysborough turned up the heat defensively causing tipped passes and turn overs leading to easy fastbreaks. A perfectly executed middle ball screen saw Newby play above the time off the dime from Leclerc giving the Cougars instant momentum leading the quarter time break by 5. Newby was everywhere in the second scoring 10 of his 29 in a variety of ways as they stretched the lead out 13. Wyndham went on a late 12-point run in the 3rd only to bring it back by 1. The Cougars again made a push in the 4th to take away a massive win away from home giving Wyndham just their 3rd loss for the year.
Pakenham (87) def. Shepparton (72)
Pakenham hit the road on Saturday night to take on the Gators, upsetting the home crowd in a busy Shepparton Sports Stadium. The Warriors went off scoring 11 points in under 2 minutes giving them an 8-point lead moving into the second. Cody Fredrickson and Josh Dow combined for 17 in the second getting on the rim and the charity stripe extending the lead by 4 going into the half. Coke found himself in foul trouble again collecting his 3rd foul in the second term to then foul out early in the 4th playing under 20 minutes for the game. Making it all more difficult for Devin Thomas and the Gators as the Warriors continued to break down the Gators defense while forcing 20 turnovers for the game. Struggling to reach 20 points a quarter, the Gators fought, still getting through their sets just unable to convert and find high percentage looks while the Warriors spread offence opened too many driving lanes for the Gators to contain. Josh Dow led all scorers with 25 points while Thomas finished with 22 points to go with his 11 rebounds.
Hume City (94) def. Bellarine (91)
An intense game down the coast as Hume City took down the Storm by just 3. It was almost score for score in the first half with no team giving any edge with the Storm leading the break by just 1. A physical clash saw most of the combined points come from the paint with Bellarine struggling to find the bottom of the net from deep shooting 2 from 16 in the first half. Starting the 4th, it was Bellarine up 6 before Hume went on a short and sharp 10-point run to put the pressure immediately back on the Storm. Coming down execution and finishing plays, there were tough finishes and effort plays by both sides. Green crashing the glass, McKenzie attacking the rim and getting to the line and Scott Stone doing his thing draining 3s late in the shot clock. Hume City played it smartest in the end utilising the clock, forcing contested shots and collecting defensive rebounds. Going to the line 3 times in the last minute, nailing all 6 free throws, the Broncos sealed the win away from home. Stone led all scorers with 35 points paired with Claytons big 14 point 18 rebound performance. Green was best for the Storm with a massive 30 point 20 rebound game respectively.
Melbourne University (109) def. Camberwell (101)
The first of 2 games for both groups this weekend going a little longer than what they’d hoped for as the Black Angels and Dragons compete in an insane overtime battle. By the hand of import Ricardo Time, the Black Angels tie it up with 2 seconds left on the game clock off a fade away 3pt deep in the corner. Tied up with 90 points a piece with just 5 minutes of game time, both groups combine for 29 points in a full offensive onslaught. Melbourne University scored in almost every offensive possession from all over the court. Camberwell tried to keep up scoring 10 points of their own, just unable to contain the ball in the half. An incredible performance by the Black Angels scoring 19 points in 5 minutes of game time with finishing with 109 for the game. Ricardo Time led all scorers with 37 points to go with 11 rebounds while Elder contributed 34 points of his own unable to get it done for his Dragons.
Western Port (90) def Sunbury (85)
Western Port hosted Sunbury at home on Saturday night. The first quarter started with high energy, with both teams trading baskets. Western Port took an early lead, thanks to their sharp shooting - 18 points in the paint and also their strong defence, Permenter with 5 rebounds in the first period alone. Sunbury responded quickly, tightening their defence, and making crucial shots to keep the game close. By halftime, the score was neck-and-neck, with a margin of just 4 points. The second half saw Sunbury come out strong, determined to take control of the game. Their aggressive play and quick transitions allowed them to gain a slight edge over Western Port, going on an 11-point scoring run to put them infront. However, the Steeler’s resilience shone through as they made key adjustments and fought back to regain the lead by the final period. A few late shots from Jet’s Martinez nearly won them the game but a late foul on his behalf gave the Steeler’s the lead they needed to win the game. Permenter was impressive, finishing with a 14-14 double-double.
McKinnon (99) def Keysborough (93)
On Sunday afternoon, McKinnon edged out Keysborough 99-93 at home. The game had a strong start from Keysborough, but McKinnon’s consistent performance through the second and third quarters secured their victory to take out the 2nd team. The score remained close all game and then into the last quarter, McKinnon only led by a slim 6 points. Despite Keysborough’s best efforts to come back with the super-trio Newby, Carlson and Williams’ taking every chance to shoot, it was not enough to override McKinnon’s defensive pressure, both teams ultimately shooting 18 points in the final quarter. Keysborough have not lost a game since their narrow loss in Round 8 to Melbourne University, but their performance does not seem to be cause for concern yet after taking out 1st placed Wyndham on Friday night. McKinnon’s win does not go without mentioning Maharaj who led the way with 29 points and 8 rebounds, followed by Anderson with 27 points and 5 rebounds. McKinnon’s balanced attack and effective execution in critical moments ensured their hard-fought victory for the afternoon.
Blackburn (130) def Camberwell (122)
In an offensive showdown on Sunday afternoon, Blackburn hosted Camberwell at home. Both teams displayed impressive scoring ability in a fast and intense game that saw a huge 252 points. The game started strong for both sides, with the score going back and forth in the first quarter. The winner was ultimately not decided until the final minutes. Blackburn went on a 9-point scoring run in the last quarter, and some late three-pointers gave them the substantial lead they needed. Blackburn's superior rebounding, with 44 total boards compared to Camberwell's 36, provided them with additional possessions and second-chance points that they capitalized on. Despite Camberwell's higher overall shooting percentage (57.89%) and impressive individual performances, their 12 turnovers and inability to contain Blackburn's top scorers ultimately led to their defeat. Martin and Legan were the stars for Blackburn, each scoring 40 points. Camberwell's efforts were led by Elder, who scored 32 points, and Dean, who added 24 points with an outstanding 91.67% shooting percentage. Despite their best efforts, it was not enough to overcome Blackburn's offensive firepower. Both teams have now only won 1 of their last 5 games.
Melbourne University (116) def Bellarine (92)
A cause for concern as Bellarine drops to 6th place after another loss on Sunday afternoon, Melbourne University overpowering them in a high scoring contest. Despite Bellarine's strong individual performances, Melbourne University's collective effort and superior shooting proved decisive. Melbourne University set the tone early, outscoring Bellarine 25-13 in the first quarter and maintaining their momentum with a 28-24 edge in the second quarter. Bellarine struggled to keep pace, entering halftime with a deficit of 16. Melbourne University displayed a well-rounded offensive game, with five players scoring in double figures. Both teams were evenly matched in rebounding, with Melbourne University holding a slight edge, 42 to 41. However, Melbourne University's ability to distribute the ball and create scoring opportunities from turnover was evident, as they totaled 20 assists compared to Bellarine’s 16. Despite the loss, Bellarine showcased impressive individual efforts with Green shooting 29 points, adding 13 rebounds for a double-double. Velasquez also had a strong performance, scoring 28 points and making 5 three-pointers. With this win, Melbourne University continues to assert their dominance in the Championship Men’s division, while Bellarine looks to regroup and bounce back in their upcoming games.
You can view our First Teams of the week here.
You can view our Second Teams of the week here.
Photo credits: @torchchavez
