Ballan Brumbies 12 Boys E and Saints Suns matched up on the weekend, both looking to maintain their top four spots on the Ballarat Basketball Association ladder.
Ballan were without a number of influential players, though coach Max Farrell still had a solid rotation to call upon.
The game was tight early, Tommy Sims scoring the opening basket of the game after strong work on the offensive glass, before feeding Hugh Blair for an easy two points.
Saints were able to respond through Ari Krawczuk and the impressive Reuben Bassett-Zwar. The speed of Sims and Ned Conroy in the open floor was causing all sorts of issues for Saints, though Ballan were unable to capitalise as their shooting left lots to be desired.
The teams traded baskets for the remainder of the half, Ballan leading 11-10 on the back of a late Conroy free throw.
Ballan attempted to stretch the game further in the second half, using their superior speed to run Saints off of their legs. The plan worked well: Toby Rewuk scored an easy open court layup from a Conroy dish, Eddie Tranter converting on the break after good work by Lachlan Grech. When Blair scored from an offensive board and Conroy connected on a jump shot, Ballan suddenly led 21-12 and looked good value for that lead.
Saints, though, were not done. A basket by Eddie Ryall was follwed quickly by baskets to Krawczuk and Noah Sheehan. When Bassett-Zwar made a free throw, Saints comeback was complete, the team in navy leading tying the score at 23 apiece with just over three minutes to play.
Conroy, who's sheer athleticism was a thorn in Saints side all game, was everywhere on defense. At the other end of the floor, Saints were crowding him though and the rest of the Brumbies couldn't make use of that space. Blair, Rewuk, then Grech all missed gettable chances.
Finally, Conroy found a slither of space at the free throw line, confidently draining has jump shot to give Ballan the lead with two minutes on the clock.
The game got scrappy as Saints pushed for a late equaliser as the Brumbies held firm for a riveting 25-23 victory.
Under 10 Boys D defeated Phoenix Falcons 23-15 Under 12 Boys E defeated Saints Suns 25-23 Under 12 Boys C defeated Drummo Dragons 77-11 Under 12 Girls defeated Wildcats 20-12 Under 14 Boys F White defeated Phoenix Razorbacks 34-19 Under 14 Boys F Blue lost to Saints Taipans 27-42 Under 14 Boys D defeated Celtic Tigers 67-17 Under 14 Boys C defeated Saints Bucks 48-47 Under 14 Girls D defeated Phoenix Thunder 60-6 Under 14 Girls B lost to Celtic Tigers 11-48 Under 16 Boys G White defeated Phoenix Rush 32-17 Under 16 Boys G Blue lost to Sovereign Knights 21-69 Under 16 Boys E defeated Wildcats 46-28 Under 16 Boys C defeated Celtic Tigers 52-29 Under 19 Boys H defeated Wildcats 46-32 Under 19 Boys E defeated Phoenix Chargers 46-36 Under 19 Boys D defeated Drummo Dragons 37-27 Under 19 Girls lost to Drummo Dragons 39-47
Comments