The long weekend is over so let's dive right into Round 12! Check out our Games of the Week previews below:
CM
Sunbury vs McKinnon
The Sunbury Jets and the McKinnon Cougars are gearing up for an intense matchup in the Big V Basketball Championship Men. This game could very well be the battle of the backcourt with star guards Ish Sanders and Max Barkeley carrying the scoring load for Sunbury, while Sharif Black and Nathan Davis lead McKinnon. The last time these teams met it was Sharif Black who took control of the game in a high-scoring affair, finishing with 43 points including 9 makes from the land of plenty. Trevon Clayton proved to be a difference maker in their previous match-up, contributing 21 points at 83% to go with his 11 rebounds. It was McKinnon who came out on top after coming from a significant first half deficit and catching the Jets off guard. This game is going to be one that shouldn’t be missed!
CW
Sherbrooke v Bulleen
A fierce 2nd against 3rd match-up takes centre stage as our game of the round for Round 12. These two teams haven’t faced off since their Round 1 match-up when Bulleen cruised to an easy 34-point win. Sherbrooke are a significantly different team this time around with major additions to their roster with Porsche Poole and Tenaya Sooalo forming a Big 3 alongside Alicia Carline. For Bulleen, it was Annabel Deerbon who impressed with 17 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals to her name as she stuffed the stat sheet, whilst Olivia Bontempelli also started the season the right way with 18 points and 6 boards. Bulleen will need to be prepared to slow down Porsche Poole and Tenaya Sooalo on the night who have been in outstanding form, setting Sherbooke up for success so far this season. Get down to Bell Real Estate Stadium to watch this blockbuster!
D1M
Warrandyte v Bulleen
Bulleen will be fighting desperately to get closer to that 6th position on the ladder and a finals birth as they head to Warrandyte this weekend. Warrandyte have had some mixed form so far across the season, taking care of some of the very best teams but also losing games that they would’ve locked in as wins. The first time these teams met was back in Round 6 where it was Warrandyte who got the win by 7 points in what was a hotly contested battle. It was Peter Deng Jnr who kept Bulleen in the game throughout, finishing with 19 points to go with 9 boards and 4 assists. For Warrandyte it was the Scammell and Birt backcourt combination that did the damage for the visitors, they finished with 22 and 25 points respectively as Bulleen did not have the defensive answers for them. Will Bulleen be able to slow this dynamic duo this time around and keep their hunt for finals alive?
D1W
Craigieburn v Western Port
Jenna Mastellone and the Steelers crew head to Craigieburn this weekend in a highly anticipated clash. With Western Port having some shaky form recently, they’ll be hoping that the King’s Birthday break has refreshed the girls and has them ready to go to dominate the back end of the season the way they did early days. One player who will be looking to continue her tremendous form would be Rachel Wansbrough who has been a dominant force on the boards all season averaging 12.5 rebounds a game to go along with her 14.2 points per game. For Craigieburn, the Player of the Month of May Courtney Strait will be looking to continue her league dominance as her team makes a push for finals after missing out last year. This one could very well go down to the wire, be sure not to miss it.
D2M
Mildura v Wallan
What an incredible match coming off the King’s Birthday break as we have a red-hot Mildura Heat playing host to the highly talented Wallan Panthers. Wallan have continued to look stronger each week as everything is starting to click at the right end of the season, Keenan Gorski has started to find the form that was expected of him coming into the year, providing phenomenal scoring support for usual suspects Arcaim Lallemand and Tyler Best. For Mildura, it has been the overall depth of the squad that has catapulted them to a contender this season. Whilst their scoring is led by Sammy Gazzo and Cameron Gross, a range of contributors have been the secret to success with the likes of Tarryn Shaddock, Dallas Brown and Jay Madigan stepping up. The Hothouse will be absolutely pumping for this match-up and Wallan are going to need to be at their best in order to win this.
D2W
Surf Coast v Blackburn
The second-placed Surf Coast Chargers play host to the fourth-placed Blackburn Vikings who have displayed similar form over their last 5 games, both winning 3 of their past 5. Back in round 6, it was Blackburn who caused the upset over Surf Coast, with Isabella Nolen leading the way with 16 points and 11 rebounds to go along with her 4 steals. For Blackburn, the point of difference came from having a range of different scorers all able to chip in and cause some headaches for the Chargers defence. The Chargers were reliant on Jessica Scannell who poured in 18 points to go with 11 rebounds but she unfortunately didn’t have as much support that was required. Hopefully, for the Chargers it can be Cortney Hollowood who can be that scoring force that she usually is to knock off Blackburn and hold their second-placed position.
VYCM
Knox vs Kilsyth
The top seed in Watson Kilsyth is on the road this weekend hosted by Knox, 2 big teams looking to solidify their position in finals. Kilsyth had a great start to the year, now getting caught in a few losses in their last 5 winning just 2. Remaining on top of the ladder, with their high pace and execution in the half-court, they continue to be a force to be reckoned with. Knox have dropped their last 3 games falling off the top of the mountain and now sitting second. Jacob Bell has had a great first full season in the league and is able to do almost everything for the Raiders. As a one-off battle in the regular season, expect this to be a high-intensity game.
VYCW
Keilor vs Kilsyth
A top-of-the-table clash as we see the two 1st placed teams in both Terril and Watson collide for the first and only time in the regular season. Reigning champions Keilor Thunder have been dominant recently dropping just the one game in their last 5 with Hayley Courts cooking the league. Bella Peterson, back from college, will be a key piece in the race for finals. Miranda Gartner for the Cobras, proving her veteran experience in Youth League averaging 18ppg adding value all over the floor. Kilsyth, now on a 4-game winning streak looking like the team to beat in VYCW with their size and shooting across the board.
YL1M
Hume vs Camberwell
As we jump straight back in after the long weekend, we find the top of the table Hume with a 12 and 2 record host the 2022 Runners Up Camberwell in what will be a massive game. Both teams have won 4 of their last 5 games, there’s no doubt these two groups are on their way to the finals, so long as they continue to work as anything can happen. Corey Fiddes is a chance to suit up, someone who makes a massive difference in the division along with Jackson Dean, who’s due to be back after his ankle injury. Can the Dragons take out the Broncos on the road and possibly move up into the top 3?
YL1W
Camberwell vs McKinnon
It will be a fresh start for the Dragons after the long weekend as they dropped 3 of their last 5 games before the King's Birthday. Still very much in the race for finals, it’ll be through the twin towers of Smith and Killian with quick guard Jacinta Li controlling the pace. McKinnon, too in the race for the finals, have taken out 4 of their last 5 making a serious push creeping up on Wyndham and Camberwell, 2 teams sitting just above the Cougars. A group with no dominant scorer, they win together and score together and work hard together! Two strong defensive units clashing, who will be able to convert offensively to get the edge?
YL2M
Sunbury vs Whittlesea
Staying in the Terril conference with a 1 v 2 battle between Sunbury and Whittlesea. Looking back to Round 6 where the Pacers took out the W by just 7 points. Pinono and Bateman with 20 points apiece with Batemans 24 rebounds proved too strong for the Jets. Sunbury struggled from beyond the arc shooting under 20% for the game, a big aspect of the modern game. Looking ahead to the weekend, the Jets have been gliding recently with a 6-game winning streak, Owen Stephens creating chaos for any defensive effort. Whittlesea winning 4 of their last 5 looking to make it 2-0 against the Jets to snatch the top spot.
YL2W
Western Port vs Mornington
A local clash down the coast with the Steelers hosting the close-by rivals Mornington in their third and final battle in the regular season. It has been Mornington who’ve taken out the last 2 combats, the second being much closer after a disappointing loss for the Steelers back in Round 3. It was just 4 points in Round 9 with Holly Gibson going for 18 points along with Poppy Griffin’s 12-point and 19 rebound performances. Mornington proved too strong with 4 of their 5 starters finishing with 10+ points. The Steelers now looking to make it 2 on the trot after a great win in Round 11 whilst the Breakers hope to make it 5 from 6 creeping closer to the top seed Bellarine.
