The Ballan Brumbies returned the court as the Ballarat Basketball winter season commenced over the weekend.
After enforced absences saw a potential championship season go haywire, the under 16 C Boys looked to start their redemption campaign positively against a strong Phoenix Warriors outfit.
Both teams looked rusty early as Ballan, whilst able to generate good looks, were missing shots they would usually make. James Prosser was the lone Brumby to find his touch, his slashing drives accounting for three of Ballan’s opening four baskets.
At the other end, new signing Joe Bunnage was proving a defensive deterrent, the centre using his long arms to block and alter Phoenix’s shots at the rim, also corralling a raft of missed shots.
Right as Ballan threatened to take control, Phoenix found themselves back in the contest thanks
to a pair of Sam Pittwood baskets and a splendid finish under pressure from Max Lo.
For Ballan, Barney Batiste, playing his first game in 5 months, began to find his rhythm, scoring on the drive and then from an expert Harrison Clark feed.
Pittwood continued to be a thorn in Ballan’s side, scoring 10 of his 14 points in the opening half. A late Tom Connally basket for the Brumbies saw them trail 15-16 at the break.
In the 2nd half, Phoenix came out hot with three pointers to Hudson’s Cunningham and Brennan.
Ballan, though, were struggling to find the mark. Noah Pace was off colour, Prosser’s driving lanes had dried up and Batiste had gone cold again. With the team needing a boost, up stepped the younger of the Pace brothers, James. In his first game of the year after wrist surgery, the lefty put on a clinic for around 10 minutes. His bullocking drives carving up the Phoenix defense as he got to the hoop time and time again, dragging Ballan back into the match.
The Brumbies, though, were in a precarious position. The crafty Connally had come off with a knee injury, Noah Pace was off the floor and literally physically ill, whilst James Pace was one foul away from disqualification. With no bench, the team was tiring.
Noah Pace emerged from the bathrooms, though, and declared himself fit to play. He came back onto the floor to devastating effect. He scored all seven of his points in a three minute burst, including a deep three pointer that gave Ballan the lead and an expert drive against tight defense.
Lo scored for Phoenix to bring the margin back to one, but in a frantic final 60 seconds, the Brumbies held on to win 36-35 in an exciting game of basketball.
Under 8's lost to Ecies Acmy 14-49 Under 10 Boys D lost to Saint Hornets 13-14 Under 10 Boys B defeated Drummo Dragons 16-8 Under 12 Boys E lost to Saints Mavs 14-18 Under 12 Boys C defeated Saints Wizards 53-9 Under 12 Girls defeated Phoenix Emeralds 25-22 Under 14 Boys F White defeated Saints Hawks 49-8 Under 14 Boys F Blue defeated Drummo Dragons 100-6 Under 14 Boys D lost to Wildcats 17-22 Under 14 Boys B lost to Excies Acmy 48-49 Under 14 Girls D lost to Phoenix Blizzard 4-36 Under 16 Boys G Blue lost to Wildcats 23-62 Under 16 Boys E defeated Saints Cannons 22-19 Under 16 Boys C defeated Phoneix Warriors 36-35 Under 19 Boys D drew with Drummo Dragons 38-38 Under 19 Girls defeated Drummo Dragons 68-18
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