DANDENONG Rangers have put the Melbourne United Victorian Junior Basketball League (MUVJBL) Under 18 Boys competition on notice with a 60-point belting of Geelong Supercats last Friday night. Dandenong, one of the title contenders this season flexed its muscles against a side that made it through in the final crossover match, winning 100-40.

In the clear most dominant performance of the round, five players recorded double-figure points. Leyi Adebayo top-scored with 22 points, while Josh Heywood and Marcus Windhager (17 each), Zac Taylor (14) and Riley Simmons (10) also impacted the match in a big way on the scoreboard. Meanwhile Geelong had the two players reach double figures as Hamish Carey (11 points) and Kade McKenzie (10) put up the most fight in the heavy loss.

In the closest game of the round for the Ashe Pool, Kilsyth win in a close one against the Rangers’ second side, with the Wildcats recording a 53-50 win. Lachlan Vandervorm top-scored for the Wildcats with 17 points, ahead of teammates, Eythan House (15) and David Okwera (12). Sebastian Kozlowski (17 points) and Liam McBride (16) were the two main scorers for the Rangers.

In other results, Werribee Devils got on the board in Round 1 with a victory over Waverley by just four points thanks to Darrien Herbert‘s 27, while the Falcons top scorer was Josh Keble with 21. Eltham Wildcats won by 11 against Collingwood All Stars with the Wildcats’ Matt Debney (29 points) and All Stars’ Charlie Raymond (18) the respective teams top scorers, while Bendigo Braves won by 14 points against Bulleen Boomers in front of a home crowd despite Bullen’s Owen Foxwell sinking a game-high 22 points. William Smyth (17 points) and Dyson Daniels (14) were the top scorers for the Braves.

In the Watson Pool, a two-man show Ballarat Miners escaped with a terrific two-point win. The Miners defeated Korumburra Wildcats in a 67-65 thriller, largely thanks to Austin McKenzie dropping a huge 30 points in the match, while partner in crime, William Hynes was just as unstoppable, recording 24 points in the win. The Wildcats had three players reach double figures and share around the points with Keith Robinson (20), Christian D’Angelo (19) and Luis D’Angelo (14) all keeping the losing side in it throughout the contest.

The Miners-Wildcats game was one of four matches decided by 10 points or less in the Division. Casey Cavaliers breathed a similar sigh of relief with a three-point win over Knox Raiders thanks to four players reaching double figures as the Raiders had two. Keilor Thunder recorded a five-point win over Hawthorn Magic as Paul Tsapatolis sunk 22 points for the Thunder with Will Burgess‘ 19 the most for the Magic, and Nunawading Spectres kept Diamond Valley Eagles at bay in a 10-point victory despite the best effort’s of Joseph Brazier (20 points) for the Eagles. James Roche (17) and Matthew Martini (14) were prolific for the Spectres in the win.

The clear standout in the Pool was Melbourne Tigers, with the Tigers making a statement following a 25-point victory over Ringwood Hawks. Tom Koppens top-scored with 20 points in the win, while fellow Tigers, Jordan Adams (13) and Patrick Twigg (12) also reached double figures. Ringwood also had its fair share of shooters with Thomas Lock and Izaac Nicholls both sinking 11 points in the defeat.