ROUND 15 of the Big V Women’s saw a couple of surprise results with Sunbury handed their second loss of the season while Bulleen prevailed in a tight one. Unfortunately Whittlesea failed to notch up their first win for the season, handed a hefty loss.

Southern Peninsula (64) defeated Hawthorn (61)

It was a close contest between Southern Peninsula and Hawthorn as the Sharks just snuck over the line with a three-point win. It was a topsy-turvy game to say the least with the Magic holding the ascendancy early, up by eight points at quarter time. But Southern Peninsula worked their way back into the contest into the second to level the ledger. This momentum swung back and forth until the Sharks put the foot down in the final quarter with a huge 23 point to 14 term gifting them the win.

Rayinsha Washington was the most prolific scorer out on court for the Sharks draining 22 points in her 35 minutes while also picking up 10 rebounds to collect a double-double. Tanarly Hood was her usual consistent self for Southern Peninsula producing 14 points at 29 per cent from the field. She also picked up seven rebounds and six assists in an all-round complete performance. Fiona Darnell was the other key cog for the Sharks dropping 12 points as both Ashleigh Wright and Tamara Matecic sunk seven points each. For the Magic it was Bella Niven-Brown that led the charge thanks to her 15 points, six rebounds, two assists and four steals. Ella Crump was not far off the pace with 11 points and four assists while Sian Gillam sunk 10 points in her 20 minutes out on court. Gillam also got busy with her five rebounds, two assists and four steals.

Wyndham (111) defeated Whittlesea (51)

It was a white-wash to say the least as Wyndham put Whittlesea to the sword and claimed a thumping 50-point win. Wyndham burst out of the blocks nice and early and did not relent on their pressure steadily growing the margin. A 15-point lead at quarter time turned into a 22-point margin by half time but Wyndham were not done yet inflicting more pain in the second half. The most damaging quarter was the last as they piled on a whopping 35 points to 11.

There was no shortage of points scorers for Wyndham as five players reached double-digits. Jessica Scannell was the most dominant of the lot producing 27 points at 82 per cent from the field while Jessica Slade also got busy with her 21 points in 22 minutes. Slade also racked up 10 rebounds with five offensive and five defensive highlighting her capacity to play both roles. Courtney Middap wasted no time finding the basket to finish with 18 points while Lauren Jones chimed in with a handy 11 points. Teammate Sarah Drane was the other player to finish with 10 points to her for the victors. The number 15 proved to be the magic one for the Pacers as three players in Emily Verey, Saule Kontautaite and Sarsha Follaccahio all slotted 15 points apiece. The scoring fell off after that as Lauren Killmister was the sole other player to register any points with six to her name and three rebounds.

Hume (54) defeated by Casey (93)

A blistering first quarter all but gifted Casey the win as they poured on 25 points to six. Their dominance filtered into the second quarter as Casey added another 27 points while the Broncos could only manage 16 albeit an improved effort in comparison to their opening term. Although the scoring dried up a little bit in the third, Casey still had control of the play and refused to take the foot off the pedal as they romped home a 39 point win.

Although every single player managed to hit the scoreboard for Hume it was not enough to generate enough scoring power. Sophie Byrnes was the most dynamic with her 11 points, two rebounds and three assists while both Hailey Wynd and Charlotte Lord slotted eight points apiece with the former amassing 10 rebounds. Leilani Siamoa was up to her usual tricks for Hume as she recorded nine points but also reeled in five rebounds. It was a one woman show for Casey as Rachel Bell unlocked her full scoring potential with a whopping 39 points at 65 per cent from the field. Bell also registered seven rebounds and three assists as Rebekka Mawdsley also producing 14 points at an impressive 83 per cent. Taylor Lee was influential in the win with her 12 points as Tegan Fowler got busy credit to her nine points and nine rebounds.

Sunbury (66) defeated McKinnon (74)

The contest between Sunbury and McKinnon was enthralling as the lead chopped and changed. But in the end it was McKinnon who got the chocolates thanks to a second half comeback. The Jets were off to the races early creating some scoreboard separation before McKinnon worked in overdrive to peg the margin back. Down by five points at half time McKinnon turned on the afterburners pouring on 20 points to nine to steal the lead. With the momentum in their favour heading into the last quarter McKinnon continued to push recording their ninth win for the season.

The Jets had a couple of key contributors with Jacinta Beckley draining 26 points in her 35 minutes out on court while she also recorded six rebounds. Orla O’Reilly was the next best for Sunbury producing 10 points at 41 per cent from the field to accompany her 12 rebounds as Courtney Wragg was down on her usual standards but still managed eight points in the loss. Amelia Todhunter proved to be a thorn in the Jets’ side draining 28 points, seven rebounds and two assists in her teams win. Teammate Morgan Ili also found her groove with 11 points and seven rebounds as Tegan Cunningham imposed herself off the boards with 12 rebounds to her name.

Keilor (71) defeated Bulleen (80)

The final game of the round was decided by nine points at Keilor fell to the top of the table Bulleen. It was always going to be a hot contest and the game definitely lived up to the hype with a mere point separating the two at quarter time. The Thunder then activated some attacking rhythm in the second to steal the lead and create a three point lead. but the class of the Boomers shone through in the third as they reversed the scoreline and got in-front which they continued in the final stanza credit to a 22 point to 15 term.

Ellen Kett was up and about for the Thunder as she slotted 24 points at 57 per cent from the field. It did not stop there for Kett as she secured 10 rebounds and nine assists falling just short of a triple-double. Ally Keating was strong for Keilor with her 18 points and five rebounds as Jess Francke got busy with her 10 points and five rebounds. It was the big three for the Boomers that once again stood up to the plate with Rebecca Cole, Louella Tomlinson and Kate Gaze leading the charge. Cole nailed 27 points and six rebounds as Cole slotted 24 points and 11 rebounds on her way to a double-double. Gaze chimed in with 20 points as Hailey Merrigan starred off the boards with her 12 rebounds, nine of which were defensive.

Photo credit: Basketball Victoria