Ballan Brumbies under 16 D Boys came up against Phoenix Slingers on Friday night in what promised to be a high scoring affair between the two best offenses in the division.
Ballan got off to a slow start, scoring the first point from a Noah Cardona free throw but then giving up six points to Harley Bladier and Liam McIntyre as Phoenix looked too physically powerful for a smaller but skilled Ballan lineup.
Ballan switched up it's defense in an effort to take away the middle of the key and after a few possessions getting comfortable with an untried alignment, started to frustrate Phoenix, who were either driving into multiple defenders or resorting to long jump shots.
The insertion of Cambrai Hodge also proved a turning point. His physicality matched the Phoenix bigs, allowing the speedy Luke Robson and Joe Seketa to start playing with more freedom in transition. Both Cardona brothers began to impact the scoreboard as Ballan picked up the pace. Noah scoring at will inside whilst younger brother Lucas hit a corner three off of a Rhys Mitchell feed.
Ballan, holding a seven point lead with five minutes remaining in the first half, started to go away from their quick passing game. Their poor decision making led to missed shots and turnovers that saw Phoenix charge back into the game off the back of baskets to Bladier and Gianni Montano, eventually leading 24-23 going into the break.
Ballan reset themselves in the second half, moving the ball patiently in the half court and getting good looks at the basket. the elder Cardona again thriving. Defensively Ballan maintained their excellent structure and pressure, the Phoenix players and coach growing visibly frustrated.
As Phoenix began to turn the ball over, Ballan were able to break with ease, Will Lewis, Seketa and Robson all scoring in the open court.
The game was starting to get chippy as Phoenix tried to reassert their physical advantage, Lewis and Montano in particular waging their own personal war, Lewis' 'smiling assassin' persona clearly getting under Montano's skin.
The Brumbies took control of the game in the last 10 minutes as Seketa and Lewis started to have their way with the Phoenix defense.
As was inevitable given the physicality on display, things boiled over as Lewis and Montano got into some verbals and the Phoenix coach lost her cool with the officials, getting tossed from the game in the final few minutes.
The Brumbies boys maintained their poise, though, running out 45-37 winners in a sometimes bad tempered affair.
Under 8's defeated Phoenix Sparrows 20-6 Under 10 Boys D lost to Saints Nets 4-32 Under 10 Boys B lost to Phoenix Tigers 20-21 Under 12 Boys F lost to Saints Cavaliers 21-25 Under 12 Boys B defeated Saints Clippers 42-34 Under 12 Girls defeated Sovereign Knights 27-7 Under 14 Boys F defeated Sovereign Knights 26-22 Under 14 Boys E defeated Celtic Tigers 34-22 Under 14 Boys D lost to Saints Bulls 24-25 Under 14 Boys B defeated Wildcats 39-38 Under 14 Girls E lost to Celtic Tigers 18-25 Under 14 Girls B defeated Saints Lightning 25-14 Under 16 Boys G Blue lost to Phoenix Rush 23-31 Under 16 Boys G White defeated Wildcats 36-24 Under 16 Boys D defeated Phoenix Slingers 45-37 Under 16 Boys C defeated Phoenix Warriors 45-39 Under 19 Boys H lost to Wildcats 40-39 Under 19 Boys E lost to Celtic Tigers 19-48 Under 19 Boys D drew with Saints Eagles 38-38
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