Round Seven Wrap Up!

Round 7 was full of colour and action. Let's wrap up the weekend and review the standout games from each division. Have a read below:

 

CM

Hume 109 def. Western Port 100

A game of runs decided this one at Broadmeadows Basketball Stadium on Saturday night. After an incredibly high scoring and even first half left Hume with a very narrow 4-point margin, it opened up for Western Port in the 3^rd quarter, winning it 22 to 10. It was young star Liam Ingram who provided the spark for Western Port next to usual suspects Daryl Corletto and Scott Stone as they opened the game up. However, as the 4^th quarter came around, Broncos legend Shaun Prendergast had other ideas as he lit it up with 15 points to help Hume win the quarter 33 to 17 and send the game to overtime. In overtime, it was all Hume who ran over the top of them in overtime with a well-balanced performance, taking OT with a 13-4 period.

Hume		Stat	Western Port
Shaun Prendergast	3	Points	34	Daryl Corletto
Christopher Kaba	18	Rebounds	7	Liam Ingram
Multiple	3	Assists	4	Corletto, Ingram
Christopher Kaba	3	Steals	4	Stone, Corletto

CW

Pakenham 74 def. Hume 67

It was the Nickerson show, as she did what she pleased on her way to an outstanding 29-point performance to go with 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. Despite one of Hume’s best overall team performances of the season, they just could not find an answer to slow Nickerson down. Kayonna Lee was strong for the Broncos with 17 points to go with her 13 rebounds whilst also receiving fantastic contributions from Tashia Overby with 20 points and Tegan Hindle who scored 13. It was Nickerson who took control of the game for the Warriors in the 4^th quarter and gave them the lead after a tough and-1 play and the Warriors didn’t look back from there.

Pakenham		Stat	Hume
Haille Nickerson	29	Points	20	Tashia Overby
Jacinta Maxwell	9	Rebounds	13	Kayonna Lee
Haille Nickerson	3	Assists	3	McKellar, Triantafyllopoulos
Ebony Sans	19	+/-	7	Paige Tawaf

D1M

Gippsland United 99 def. Pakenham 97            

The 2022 D2M Grand Final rematch certainly didn’t disappoint, with both teams putting on an exciting display of Big V Basketball. Things became very interesting in the last minute of the game, with the Pakenham Warriors making one last push on the back of 2 big 3-point shots made by Joe Davis and Josh Dow to narrow the margin. Despite some final nerves, Gippsland United were able to hold on for the win but will be very wary the next time these face off. The stars on the night for Pakenham were Joe Davis who dropped 34 points to go with 8 rebounds, whilst Michael Johns also made a serious impact off the bench with 17. For Gippsland United, a veteran big man Stephen O’Brien wound back the clock and got himself 26 points to go alongside 12 rebounds, whilst Hughes and Amajoyi also did their best to ensure the win.

Gippsland United		Stat	Pakenham
Stephen O’Brien	26	Points	34	Joe Davis
Stephen O’Brien	12	Rebounds	8	Davis, Kafrouni
Hughes, Canovan	6	Assists	6	Charles, Weideman
Ben Barlow	2	Steals	3	Michael Johns

D1W

Chelsea 79 def. Altona 70

Ida Krogh has helped her Chelsea Gulls to an important win to keep them in contention for a finals run. Chelsea came out of the gates strong and were able to hold that margin for the majority of the game. The Gators just didn’t have the defensive personnel to slow Krogh down as she finished with 21 points, and 9 rebounds to go with 3 assists. For Altona, Monique Marcetic-Vaotangi was excellent, in just her second game for the season she finished with 17 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists. Altona struggled in the absence of experienced duo Jessica Rarity and Alysha Carden-David and will be hoping they return to the line-up soon.

Chelsea		Stat	Altona
Ida Krogh	21	Points	17	Marcetic-Vaotangi
Krogh, Simmons	9	Rebounds	7	Spence, Wilson
Kelly Foster	4	Assists	7	Trinity Steele
Multiple	2	Steals	1	Multiple

D2M

Maccabi 86 Def. Craigieburn 83

How often do you see a game go to a second overtime?! This was a big performance from both teams with players pushing 50 minutes played. With a lead from Craigieburn in the first half, Maccabi fought their way back with Adam Klas scoring the last 4 points of regular time with a tough finish at the ring to put the game to overtime. It really became a gritty game in the first overtime with both teams scoring just the 3 points to put it to a second. Maccabi’s tying 3pt coming in the dying seconds from Bailey De Bortoli in the corner after a kick outdrive. Hudson De Bortoli came up big in the second overtime drilling 2 threes and putting Craigieburn to bed in what was one of our most exciting games of the round.

Maccabi		Stat	Craigieburn
Bailey De Bortoli	19	Points	30	Gene Vocale
Noah Rosham	15	Rebounds	10	Gene Vocale
Hudson De Bortoli	7	Assists	3	Vocale / Solano
Bailey De Bortoli	2	Blocks	2	Jackson Wynne

D2W

Gippsland United 98 Def. Blackburn 84

Gippsland United continue their amazing start to the 2023 season with a now 7-0 record. Taking on Blackburn over the weekend in a close battle, there was hardly anything in it all game long. With little runs in the second and fourth quarters, Gippsland just crept away with Blackburn finding it too hard to surpass. Gippsland United have truly put themselves at the top of the mountain with numerous players able to generate points both in the starters and off the bench. Emily Scholtes off the bench walked away with a team-high 21 alongside Alahna Arnason’s 20-point and 11-rebound double-double.

Gippsland United		Stat	Blackburn
Emily Scholtes	21	Points	22	Samantha Zennaro
Alahna Arnason	11	Rebounds	8	Nolen / Zennaro
Jasmyn Short	6	Assists	5	Rebecca Cunningham
Chloe Hogg	4	Steals	4	Isabella Nolen

VYCM

Nunawading 97 Def. Waverley 90

A back-and-forth battle between Waverley and Nunawading resulting an overtime thriller with barely anything in it. Multiple lead changes throughout the game with the biggest margin in the 4 quarters just 8 points towards Nunawading. Going all the way down to the dying seconds, Callum McNiff was put to the line nailing 2 clutch free throws putting the game to 80 apiece. Advancing the ball, Nunawading had an opportunity to get the job done but couldn’t connect. Moving to overtime it was all Nunawading scoring a massive 17 points in just 5 minutes to Waverley’s 10. It was a battle of the starters with both teams finishing with 4 out of the 5 starters scoring in double figures. McNiff was very impressive finishing with 27 points to go with his 16 rebounds alongside Curtis Brecko from the Spectres walking away also with a 24-point 12 rebound double-double.   

Nunawading		Stat	Waverley
Curtis Brecko	24	Points	27	Callum McNiff
Curtis Brecko	12	Rebounds	16	Callum McNiff
Tyler Barker	9	Assists	6	Callum McNiff
Amos Harvey	7/8	Free Throws	11/13	Callum McNiff

VYCW

Nunawading 65 Def. Waverley 64

A battle between two middle-of-the-table teams struggling to find their feet thus far this season, Waverley and Nunawading both needing this win. Waverley took the lead early in the first and held it for almost the entire game, almost being all bar the last 2 seconds! 25.9 seconds on the shot clock and Nunawading are down by 4. Spectres have the ball advanced with a 14-second shot clock, with an inbound to the corner, Julia Gnocato turned to face the ring and immediately drilled a 3 to bring the game to 1. The ball with Waverley on the Baseline and a foul is drawn. Another inbound for Waverley and again a foul is drawn sending Liana Kinkela to the line making 1 of her 2. 64 to 62 Waverley down and the ball advanced with 4.9 seconds left. Again! Gnocato finds herself open off the inbound and nails it again! Waverley had the last chance yet couldn’t connect in what was a thrilling end to the game. 

Nunawading		Stat	Waverley
Gnocato / Hancock-Wolfe	14	Points	21	Liana Kinkela
Neave Hancock-Wolfe	16	Rebounds	20	Liana Kinkela
Anika Stehbens	4	Assists	7	Lola Geddes
Julia Gnocato	4/6	3pt	1/2	Lola Geddes

YL1M

Keysborough 89 Def. Bulleen 84

An incredibly special game for Big V and Victorian Basketball between Bulleen and Keysborough for the Will Hoole Memorial Trophy game. Keysborough controlled the first half scoring 23 in each quarter to lead the half time break by 7. Jacob Oryem and Lenny Gorman led the Cougars early with Oryem closing out the half with a big steal and throw down in transition. Sam Alexander off the bench had a massive 3^rd quarter throwing the Boomers on his shoulders taking the lead moving into the 4^th. Unfortunately for the Boomers, it was not meant to be as again Oryem and Gorman took control and closed out the game with Keysborough taking out the Will Hoole Memorial Trophy for 2023.

Keysborough		Stat	Bulleen
Lenny Gorman	23	Points	17	Josh Uhr-Henry
Jacob Oryem	8	Rebounds	10	Josh Uhr-Henry
Luke Logan	4	Assists	6	Josh Uhr-Henry
Jacob Oryem	4	Steals	3	Josh Uhr-Henry

YL1W

Warrandyte 80 Def. Sunbury 77

A massive win for Warrandyte notching their first win for the season after a competitive 4 quarters against Sunbury, sitting just one place above on the ladder. After numerous games where Warrandyte had opportunities to win this shows their commitment to getting better and improving as a unit. After a slow start and 14 points 2^nd quarter, their perseverance in the 2^nd half to remain focused and work turned into a commanding comeback and win. Sofia Ruscitti came up big for the Venom with 23 points getting to the line 15 times making 10. Everyone off the bench added value and contributed in their own way leading to what we can only assume is a very happy coach and group.

Warrandyte		Stat	Sunbury
Sofia Ruscitti	23	Points	27	Maddison Nash
Lucy Coulter	11	Rebounds	10	Grace Cooper
Roby Bantisano	4	Assists	2	Nash / Cameron
Aiyana Ananiev	5	Steals	7	Adrienne Cameron

YL2M

Albury Wodonga 94 Def. Western Port 87

A Terril vs Watson battle between 2 finals contention teams known as Albury Wodonga and Western Port saw Terril’s Albury close out the win over the number 1 seed Steelers. 2 big quarters in the first half by Albury taking a commanding lead into the halftime break. Although the Steelers won both the 3^rd and 4^th quarter margins, the deficit proved too much as Albury were able to hold on. Liam Brady and Brock Thompson both went off for 20 each with Jack Paul adding value off the bench drilling 2/3 from the land of plenty. Tyler Simpson finished with a 16 and 10 double-double along side Harry Jenner’s 20-point piece, not enough to get the job done.  

Albury Wodonga		Stat	Western Port
Brock Thompson	22	Points	20	Harry Jenner
Liam Brady	6	Rebounds	10	Tyler Simpson
Loro Kuron	5	Assists	2	Simpson / Alaimo
Loro Kuron	5	Steals	3	Justin Stahl

YL2W

Blackburn 79 Def. Sherbrooke 68

An important game for both Blackburn and Sherbrooke needing to get the ball rolling as Big V moves into the middle part of the season. Blackburn came into the game without a win whilst the Suns looked to break a 3 game-losing streak, safe to say a lot was on the line. A slow start for Blackburn with a 21 to 12 first quarter looking like it was going to be another upsetting weekend. The Suns walking into the halftime breakup 5 with their star Olivia Kingston doing everything! The Vikings turned the table with an incredible 52-point second half to notch their first win for the season. Although the Suns didn’t finish with a win, Olivia Kingston walked away with a massive 43-point 21 rebound game to go along with 2 assists, 6 steals and 2 blocks.

Blackburn		Stat	Sherbrooke
Emily Mansfield	23	Points	43	Olivia Kingston
Emma Tripp	11	Rebounds	21	Olivia Kingston
Emily Mansfield	5	Assists	4	Teagan Burton
Mansfield / Tripp	3	Steals	6	Olivia Kingston