DANDENONG Rangers have caused a boilover by defeating Casey Cavaliers, knocking the Cavaliers from top spot following the Round 5 Victorian Junior Basketball League (VJBL) Under 18 Girls Championship clash. The Ranges came into the match with a 1-3 record since the Ashe and Watson pool’s combined, sitting ninth overall, while the Cavaliers were unbeaten on top with a 4-0 record. That all changed last Friday night though, as the Rangers, in front of home fans got up by 18 points.

In a hard-fought opening half, the Ranges lead by three points at both quarter time and half-time, as both sides showed off their defensive abilities. The third term was a completely different story as the Rangers opened up the Cavaliers defence, piling on 23 points to seven in a stunning 10 minutes of action. Casey fought back in the last to win the quarter, but it only ended up being by one point (17-16), as Dandenong took home the much-needed 18-point win, 60-42. Georgia Taylor put up 17 points for the winners, well supported by the likes of Georgia Sewell (12) and Jessica-Belle Catheray-Harvey (11). Kaitlyn Scott scored a match-high 18 points for the Cavaliers in defeat, as Dakota Crichton managed the 13.

Despite being at opposite ends of the ladder, Bulleen Boomers needed all their strength to shake off a determined Gippsland United outfit. United stunned the Boomers in the opening term at Traralgon, scoring 22-10 to lead by 12 points at quarter time. Bulleen hit back in the second quarter with a whooping 18 points to two, changing the momentum and suddenly leading by four points. They built on that lead in the third term to extend it to six by the final break, a margin that would be there at the buzzer in the 61-55 result. Lily Carmody and Chantal Vitale both scored 16 points in the victory, while Asha Nightingale (17) was prolific for the losers.

It was the round of thrillers with Kilsyth Cobras marginally getting past Melbourne Tigers by just three points. In a low-scoring tussle, the Cobras trailed by a point at the final break, before adding 13-9 in the fourth term to record a narrow 40-37 victory. Georgia McBean (16 points) and Taleesha O’Kane (12) were the key scorers in the victory, while Hayley Letts (12 points) and Neve Giddey (eight) were the best for the Tigers.

In an equally tight game, Frankston Blues got past Knox Raiders by just five points in a mid-table classic. The Blues gained the separation in the second term to lead by six points at half-time, but the Raiders trimmed that back to just one points by the last change. A 12-8 fourth quarter to Frankston resulted in the Blues regaining that lead again to win by five, 60-55. It was a one-player show for Bonnie Deas who put up 29 points in a huge performance, while Zoe Rakogiannis managed 13 in defeat.

In the other result, Sandringham Sabres defeated Nunawading Spectres by 11 points on the road. Neck and neck throughout the first half, the Sabres blew away the Spectres after the main break, piling on 35 points to 23 to run out 69-58 victors. Hannah Wickstrom scored 18 points to lead the way yet again for the Sabres, while Isla Airey (14) and Jaida Reid (13) were also prolific. Madeline Potts (22 points) and Katie Harrington (17) were the standouts for Nunawading.

ROUND 5 VJBL CHAMPIONSHIP U18 GIRLS RESULTS:

Kilsyth Cobras (40) defeated Melbourne Tigers (37)
Nunawading Spectres (58) defeated by Sandringham Sabres (69)
Gippsland United (55) defeated by Bulleen Boomers (61)
Dandenong Rangers (60) defeated Casey Cavaliers (42)
Frankston Blues (60) defeated Knox Raiders (55)