The season is halfway finished, let's look at the matchups heading into Round 9! Check out our Games of the Week previews below:
CM
Hume v Wyndham
A huge game this weekend as the 3rd placed Wyndham heads to Broadmeadows Basketball Stadium to take on the top-of-the-table Hume Broncos. Despite the standings, Wyndham enters this game as the in-form team, winning their last 3 games, whilst Hume have had struggles of late dropping 2 of their last 3. The last time these teams met was back in Round 4 where Hume dominated the first half to run away with the game, led by Troyce Manassa and Mackuei Puondak with 25 and 23 points respectively. For Wyndham, Manel Ayol enjoyed one of his strongest performances for the season, pouring in 21 points as he tried to will his team to victory. This one is certainly going to be exciting, don’t miss out this Saturday night!
CW
McKinnon vs Sherbrooke
For the third and final time this season, the 4th placed McKinnon will play the 3rd placed Sherbrooke, a series that has been dominated by Sherbrooke so far. Sherbrooke will be taking on a different-looking McKinnon side that has looked to turn the corner since early season struggles. Their change of form has been turned around with more contributors surrounding stars Briana Gray and Emily Suckling with the likes of Tamara Booth and Morgan Riley rising to the challenge. They will need to find a way to slow down star Suns, Alicia Carline, Porche Poole and Tenaya Sooalo which is no easy feat. We anticipate a rejuvenated Cougar squad to rise to the challenge and take it to the Suns in this one!
D1M
Bulleen v Coburg
An interesting local match-up this week as Bulleen play host to Coburg in Division One Men basketball. Both teams are tied on equal records at 3-6 and would be hoping to turn their season around across the second half of the season. These teams last met in Round 1 where Coburg were able to take the game by 3 points, on the night it was Kobe Pearson who burst onto the scene with 26 points whilst well supported by Mweemba Maluma with 16 points to go with his 6 rebounds and 6 assists. For Bulleen, they were quiet across the board apart from young star Joshua Uhr-Henry who had 27 points and 14 rebounds. Bulleen will be hoping to continue their momentum from a competitive game against Gippsland United last weekend to take it to Coburg, it’s going to be a close one, so head down to East Doncaster Secondary and check it out.
D1W
Chelsea v Western Port
A somewhat local match-up is our feature game of Round 9 in Division One Women with Chelsea playing host to Western Port. Whilst Chelsea won’t be thrilled with their current run of form, losing 4 of their previous 5 games after a very promising start to the season, they will be looking forward to the match-up against a strong Western Port side. These two teams last played in Round 2 where it went down to the wire with Western Port taking the narrow 1-point win. The last time they played, Rachel Winters was dominant with 23 points, 15 rebounds and 6 assists, ably supported by usual suspect Rachael Wansbrough who finished with 19 points and 12 rebounds. The Gulls will be looking to slow those two down whilst continuing to get strong offensive input from usual suspects Ida Krogh and Kelly Foster. Don’t miss this one!
D2M
Craigieburn v Melton
A battle of the bottom this week in Division Two Men as two teams that are desperate to turn their season around go head-to-head. Both Craigieburn and Melton have had some enormous offensive games across the season so we can anticipate this one to be a shootout. The big question to be asked however is which of these outfits can improve their efforts on the defensive end which is where they have had the majority of their struggles across the season. For Melton, Koby Skenderis and Liam Allison have been brilliant and will do everything they possibly can to will their team to victory, whilst Gene Vocale and Abraham Solano have been the main contributors for Craigieburn. It may very well come down to a coaching battle to see who can slow down the offensive influence of the other, game on!
D2W
Surf Coast v Gippsland United
A top-of-the-table clash this week as the undefeated Gippsland United make the very long trip to Surf Coast. Gippsland United are placing themselves as the red-hot championship favourites so far this season with a wealth of talent at their disposal. Surf Coast on the other hand are the most improved team in 2023 in Division Two Women and potentially across the league. The last time these teams met it was Gippsland United who cruised to victory led by Alahna Arnason off the bench with 18 points and 13 rebounds, whilst also having 4 others contribute double-figure scoring. This one is likely to be different as the Chargers were missing star players Jessica Scannell and Kim Hammond, who have been a force, particularly on the boards. This game is going to go down to the wire as Surf Coast try to give Gippsland United their first loss of the season.
VYCM
Ringwood vs Melbourne
A Watson hit out in Youth Championship Men with The Hawks hosting the Tigers in what is always a fierce battle. Questions will be asked again around this Melbourne team as to who will suit up with an NBL1 clash on Sunday. Ringwood too may have the likes of Lachlan Ahale move into their NBL1 unit. Nevertheless, the Tigers will be coming off a Saturday night game whilst Ringwood will be fresh, possibly giving them the advantage along with the home court. Sitting 2nd and 3rd in Watson, these are 2 very competitive teams making serious contention for finals. Wilson Amos and Lachlan Chinnock have stepped up big in recent games playing big roles. Harrison Sealey stepped into the lineup for Ringwood making an immediate splash dropping 36pts last weekend. Who will step on the court this weekend and make the most impact?
VYCW
Waverley vs Hume
Blockbuster Saturday night in Waverley hosting the Broncos in a Terril clash for their second hit out after a close game back in round 2. Waverley came out on top on the road by just 8 points. Liana Kinkela was massive for the Falcons with 24 points and 16 rebounds in under 30 minutes. Hannah Griffiths came to the party with 16 points helping the girls get over the line. Amalia Triantafyllopoulos led the Broncos with 17 points to go with 9 rebounds and 3 steals unable to get over the line. Both teams are struggling as of late on a 2-game losing streak needing this win to get themselves back on track. Hume more so having won just 1 game in their 7 games thus far. Struggling to put the ball in the basket, their focus will have to be on the defensive end holding down Kinkela and limiting their paint touches.
YL1M
Sherbrooke vs Geelong United
Here Big V finds two extremely competitive teams making a real push for VYC and the grading process in 2024. Sherbrooke have been thereabouts for a while now and Geelong United have not been far off, improving every year with numerous players able to jump between Youth League and NBL1. Both groups coming off a W from round 8 looking to string multiple wins together closing in on Hume sitting on top of the table. This is the first time these two will come across one another with some big matchups going head-to-head. Jack Terrill vs Dylan Johnstone will be one to look out for with 2 athletic big bodies playing above the ring. Jacob Bourke-Doggett vs Seth Garcia will be another competitive battle as 2 valuable guards as they can not only score and pass the ball but make their teams significantly better.
YL1W
Eltham vs Camberwell
This could very easily be the biggest game of the round for Big V basketball with 2 undefeated teams going against one another. One will remain undefeated, and one will take their first loss for the 2023 season. Expecting full rosters for both sides, this is a game you need to get down to on Sunday. Both units will be coming off a Saturday night game so there may be some tired bodies moving into the second half of this game. But with tired bodies, there comes the mental game with who wants it more, who will stick to the game plan and stay composed. Will they make the right play down the stretch and will execution mean the difference between a win or loss? Both defensive dominant teams, Eltham seem to have more of a scoring punch but with the twin towers at Camberwell, this may disrupt Eltham’s shot quality. Who will remain undefeated, anyone’s guess is as good as gold!
YL2M
Southern Peninsula vs Mornington
Moving down the coastline this weekend we have the Sharks host the Breakers in a Watson conference battle. The first of 2 hit outs between these two teams, we see a rivalry brewing. Southern Peninsula have not had the start they would have liked, unable to get a win on the board whilst Mornington are sitting in the finals picture with a 5-3 record. The Breakers are coming off an upsetting loss to Melbourne University whilst the Sharks had a disappointing weekend dropping both of their games and struggling to contain teams on the defensive end. Ethan Llewellyn has been their most consistent player and performer across their 12 games working and fighting every week. Mornington’s Matthew Wolfe has been impressive for the Breakers averaging 18ppg shooting 38% from the land of plenty, a key for the Sharks to try containing and limit.
YL2W
Western Port vs Mornington
A Sunday clash down the coastline over at Somerville Recreation Centre with the second battle in 2023 between the Steelers and Breakers. It was back in Round 3 where Mornington handled business swiftly putting the Steelers away early holding the visitors to just 12 points in a half of basketball. The Breakers walked away with 5 players finishing in double figures, 2 of which came off the bench. Kijana Katramados led the scoring with 17 points shooting 7 from 7 from the charity stripe. Western Port struggled to find the bottom of the net shooting just 21% for the game. After dropping their last 2 games, the Steelers will be looking to capitalize on a possibly tired Breakers unit after a Saturday night game, they will need to find ways to protect the paint and force contested shots to put themselves in a good position to get back in the winning column.
