In this weeks basketball action, Ballan Brumbies U12 C boys and Excies Acmy - the top two sides on the ladder - played out an instant classic.
Excies came out in a full court press, their high pressure defense potentially dangerous given they were playing without a bench. Concerningly for Excies, Ballan were able to comfortably handle that pressure, getting out the back for easy layups to Eli Rogers, Marley Solterbeck and Harry Garner, as Ballan got off to a strong start. When debutant Ned Conroy hit a jump shot, Ballan lead eight points to two.
At the other end of the floor, Levi Ward was playing a blinding first half for Excies, scoring 9 of their first 11 points. He was a lone hand, though. When he picked up his 4th foul shortly before half time it could have spelled disaster for Excies, who trailed 14-22 at the half.
Ballan stumbled early in the 2nd half as their intensity waned and execution faltered. Sensing an opportunity to get back into the match, Excies pounced. With Ward hamstrung by his foul trouble, Jeremiah McPherson stepped up, consistently beating Ballan's defense on his way to a game high 16 points.
With the game tied at 28, Brumbies coach Riley Dart called a timeout and implored his boys to step up which, to their credit, they did. Felix Trinder found Garner for a short jumpshot before a Solterbeck steal saw Rogers connect for another two points. McPherson hit back to back baskets to get Excies back on level terms before the Brumbies finally steadied. Some good positional defense from Tristan Cox saw Ward miss what should have been an easy basket, Conroy making them pay at the other end.
Ward launched a desperation heave that dropped as the buzzer sounded, but it was academic, Ballan holding on for a 39-35 win in a belter of a match. Under 10 Boys D lost to Saints Nets 8-28 Under 10 Boys B lost to Phoenix Tigers 5-13 Under 12 Boys E defeated Phoenix Braves 30-2 Under 12 Boys C defeated Excies Acmy 39-35 Under 12 Girls lost to Phoenix Pearls 14-15 Under 14 Boys F White defeated Phoenix Titans 39-23 Under 14 Boys F Blue lost to Saints Taipans 7-42 Under 14 Boys D defeated Saints Pelicans 50-11 Under 14 Boys C defeated Saints Lakers 43-28 Under 14 Girls D defeated Drummo Dragons 40-20 Under 14 Girls B defeated Celtic Tigers 36-13 Under 16 Boys G White lost to Sovereign Knights 8-42 Under 16 Boys G Blue lost to Wildcats 1-40 Under 16 Boys E defeated Drummo Dragons 46-28 Under 16 Boys C lost to Saints Blazers 33-47 Under 19 Boys H lost to Phoenix Broncos 38-44 Under 19 Boys E defeated Drummo Dragons 30-23 Under 19 Boys D defeated Celtic Tigers 48-42 Under 19 Girls defeated Phoenix Sparks 40-22
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