Games Of The Week Previews - Round 11

Another great weekend of basketball is ahead with Round 11 tipping off tomorrow! Check out our Games of the Week previews below:

 

CM

Keysborough vs Wyndham

The 3^rd placed Keysborough Cougars play host to the 4^th placed Wyndham this weekend in a match that could be an important one come finals time. Currently, Wyndham have the head-to-head advantage in this match-up thanks to a Round 1, 1-point victory on their home floor. It was the Maurice Howard and Adetomi Ayilara show that weekend as they contributed 26 and 25 points respectively to ensure that their side didn’t fall to an 0-2 start to the year. For Keysborough, it was Naoum Lazis who made a splash for an efficient 19 points and has been working himself into some very impressive form in recent weeks as well. Coach Vogt will be determined to limit the impact of Maurice Howard this weekend and may set the task for Jamie Leclerc or Murray Myers off the bench for the Cougars. This game will go right down the wire and should not be missed!

CW

McKinnon vs Bulleen

2^nd placed Bulleen are coming off a tough weekend losing to the undefeated Wyndham in a very close 5-point loss. McKinnon on the other hand snapped a possible 3-game losing streak taking the win of Camberwell. Looking even further back, it was Round 7 when these two faced one another with the Boomers taking it out by 9 points. Olivia Bontempelli struggling to find form, yet Maxine Allan stepped up finishing with 14 points to go with her 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals. The Duo of Gray and Suckling couldn’t get their group over the line as Suckling struggled to find the bottom of the net shooting just 28% for the game. Bulleen will be hoping Bontempelli find her form in the new month of June as they continue to hold 2^nd place.            

D1M

Shepparton vs Warrnambool

Game 2 between Shepparton and Warrnambool with the Seahawks falling short in their first hit out by 5 points way back in the opening Round of the season. It was Joshua Kooiman who led the scoring for the Gators with 24 points as his other 4 teammates in the starting unit all finished with over 10 points. Jamal Pollydore led the game scores with 33 shooting 5 from 7 from deep. Warrnambool’s excellent shooting from beyond the arc wasn’t enough to stop Josh Waight’s starting unit as their 18 offensive rebounds made things all too much giving themselves enough second-chance opportunities to get over the line. Looking ahead to this weekend, this 1^st vs 2^nd battle will be a big game with both sides winning 4 of their last 5 games.

D1W

Bellarine vs Warrnambool

Looking all the way back to Round 1 when Warrnambool hosted Bellarine it was the Storm who came away with the W by 11 points. Georgia Varley top-scored for the game with 23 points adding 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. This overtime battle was an extremely exciting way to start the year and a possible look at the finals for 2023. Dakota Crichton was dominant on both sides of the floor finishing with 18 points and 18 rebounds, 8 of which were offensive. Matilda Sewell walked away with a double double herself unable to get over the line. Warrnambool now 5 games on the trot seem to be the team to beat with Bellarine taking out 4 of their last 5 themselves. Georgia Varley has been impressive as of late, finding herself on the starting 5 numerous times, will Warrnambool be able to slow her down?

D2M

Surf Coast vs Wallan

A blockbuster weekend in Surf Coast as they host Wallan for the first time in the year. Wallan have taken out 4 of their last 5 games with Gorski and Lallemand working well together. Tyler Erard, averaging 18ppg just 2 rebounds shy of a double double came off the bench last weekend scoring just 5 points in his 20 minutes of action. Dogukan Elyazar has found a nice role with the Chargers after coming from NBL1 averaging almost 15ppg, someone who isn’t shooting as well as he’d like. Watch for the Cooper vs Lallemand match-up, expecting some highlights from both sides of the floor. Who will be taking out game 1 of this battle?

D2W

Surf Coast vs Wallan

Surf Coast will be hosting Wallan for the second time this year after a very close battle back in Round 6. It was the Chargers who took out game 1 by just 2 points in a high-scoring battle. Cortney Hollowood led the scoring for the Chargers with 22 points to go with her 7 assists. Kylah Collins and Olivia Dalmau added 20+ points each in the 2-point loss, unable to get their girls over the line. Surf Coast has been caught with injuries as of late and will be looking to find form with a potential full squad. Jessica Scannell will be searching for her triple-double whilst looking to slow down the tough Kylah Collins. Sitting 2^nd and 3^rd on the ladder, these two will be serious contenders for finals along with the undefeated Gippsland United.    

VYCM

Kilsyth vs Nunawading

It’s game 2 between Kilsyth and Nunawading as the Spectres will now be travelling to the snake pit after their first encounter way back in round 1 with Nunawading just getting over the line by 2 points. A lot has changed since then, players in and out due to NBL1 opportunities for both sides and the development of all players has risen. Kilsyth sit on top of the table in Watson with Nunawading just 2 games behind both sitting in the final picture. Kilsyth looking for some redemption after round 1 whilst the Spectres are hoping to string some wins together. These two have been competitive for years, no doubt this will be an exciting clash.

VYCW

Bendigo vs Keilor

It was way back in round 1 since these two came across one another with Bendigo taking out the win 72 to 59. Bendigo with a forceful starting group with Richardson, Condron and Smith in the line up with the reigning champions missing some pieces early. Condron went for 20 points with Richardson stat padding finishing with 12 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals. Keilor struggled from the arc, something they’ve improved on very much since. In a Terril 1^st vs 2^nd clash, Keilor are on a winning streak whilst Bendigo took a loss over the weekend snapping their streak.  Can Bendigo take this series out 2-0 and snatch the top spot by the end of the weekend?

YL1M

Camberwell vs Keysborough

Their second hit out in the 2023 season, this time Camberwell hosting the Cougars in a Sunday clash. Looking in Round 2, Camberwell took control early walking away with a big 31-point win. Jackson Dean was dominant in all areas finishing with 27 points in just 21 minutes. Angus Nelson added 16 points of his own off the bench collecting 2 steals along the way. Jacob Oryem top-scored for the Cougars with 22 points to go with his 7 rebounds. As the season progressed, Keysborough lifted and became a serious finals contender whilst Camberwell had some struggles along the way. Sitting right next to one another on the ladder, look for this game to go deep into the 4^th. 

YL1W

Camberwell vs Eltham

Short turn around but we are back! 1 v 2, Camberwell vs Eltham,  2 teams looking like they might meet one another in the finals. As we briefly look back at Round 9, both teams were undefeated going into the weekend, Camberwell dropping their Saturday night battle to Pakenham going into Sunday. In a game where neither team could hit 20 points in a quarter, it was Eltham who managed to not only score, but held every Camberwell player under 10 points. Meghan Stagoll filled the stat sheet with 20 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 6 steals. Looking to this weekend, Camberwell will be looking for redemption and to be the first team to knock off the still-undefeated Eltham Wildcats. 

YL2M

Melbourne University vs Western Port

A big battle over at Melbourne University as they will host the top seed Western Port in a 1^st vs 2^nd clash in the Watson conference. Looking back in Round 3, it was Western Port who took care of business at home taking the win by 13 points. A locked-in Josh McNally top-scored for the game with 27 points getting to the charity stripe 13 times making 12 yet unable to get the W. Ayden Dignan off the bench and walked away with 23 points, 4 other of his teammates scoring 10+ for the night. The Steelers are looking to build on their winning streak as they’re 3 on the trot with Melbourne University winning 4 of their last 5 games. Will Melbourne University snatch 1^st place off the Steelers by the end of the weekend?   

YL2W  

Mornington vs Albury Wodonga

Who will be the team to get back in the winning column this weekend, Mornington of Albury Wodonga? Both falling to Sherbrooke in Round 10, Mornington by just 4 points and Western Port by 13, expected this game to be very competitive with eyes of redemption. Looking back at Round 4, it was Albury Wodonga who took out the win by just 3 points. Tahli Smith went for 18 points and 16 rebounds to lead the Bandits next to Alyssa Cole adding great value shooting 3 from 4 from beyond the arc. The Breakers 2 games ahead of the Bandits winning 4 of their last 5, you could say they’re in better form yet the Bandits are not the kind of team to back down from a challenge.