DANDENONG Rangers spared no prisoners during a dominant 36-point away win against Waverley Falcons to open the 2025 Victorian Youth Championship Men’s Division. The Ranges poured on a ridiculous 72 points to 43 in the first half before going on to win 114-78.

Dandenong looked unstoppable from the get-go, quickly racing out to a nine-point lead at the first break, and essentially ended the contest by half-time by doubling the Falcons’ score in the term (40-20). To Waverley’s credit, the Falcons regrouped from the main break and showed fight in the third term to cut the deficit back to 22 points, before Dandenong put the foot down again and ran away with the contest in the last term.

An incredible seven Rangers put up double-digit scores with all 12 players getting minutes on the floor. Led by Nate Marsters (23 points) who shot a deadeye seven of nine from long-range, Dandenong ran at 48.68 per cent efficiency compared to Waverley’s 39.74 per cent. He teamed up well with skipper Noah Suarjaya who worked hard with 21 points, six rebounds and five assists throughout the contest.

From the rest of the team, Mojwok Mojwok (11 points, eight rebounds and two blocks) was influential off the boards, while Austin Foxwell (14 points, seven assists, three rebounds and three steals) and Nate Vaughan (10 points, four rebounds, four steals and two rebounds) all contributed.

Waverley’s best included Jacob Bell (18 points, 13 rebounds and three steals) and Ryan Tobler (15 points, 11 rebounds) who both amassed double-doubles. Ari Moulieris (15 points) and Jordan Bejatovic (10 points) managed to surpass double-digit scores, but the quartet made up 68 of the 78 total team points.

The win was easily the biggest of the weekend for any side, with five of the 10 matches decided by 10 points or under. Eltham Wildcats and Casey Cavaliers both won their respective matches over Nunawading Spectres and Melbourne Tigers by 13 points apiece, while Kilsyth Cobras ended the weekend with two wins.

The Cobras first accounted for Hume City by 20 points on Saturday night, before turning around the following day and beating Keysborough by the same margin. The Broncos bounced back from that defeat to front up at home against the Wildcats and knock Eltham off by seven points with both sides splitting their results. Unfortunately for the Cougars, they ended Round 1 with back-to-back defeats following a six-point loss to Frankston on Saturday night.

In the other results, Keilor Thunder beat reigning premiers Sandringham Sabres by seven points (76-69), while Knox Raiders toppled the the Thunder yesterday by five (77-72). While at Eagle Stadium, Diamond Valley came away with the victory following a five-point triumph (91-86) over Wyndham.

2025 BIG V YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP MEN’S – ROUND 1 RESULTS:

Keilor (76) defeated Sandringham (69)
Casey (86) defeated Melbourne (73)
Kilsyth (81) defeated Hume City (61)
Eltham (91) defeated Nunawading (78)
Frankston (78) defeated Keysborough (72)
Dandenong (114) defeated Waverley (78)
Knox (77) defeated Keilor (72)
Diamond Valley (91) defeated Wyndham (86)
Kilsyth (86) defeated Keysborough (66)
Hume City (67) defeated Eltham (60)

2025 BIG V YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP MEN’S LADDER: