FRANKSTON Blues had a massive win over Geelong United in Round 10 of the Big V Youth Championship Men’s division, defeating the latter by 30 points at Dreamstreet Lending Arena on Sunday afternoon.

The Blues have been one of the strongest sides throughout the first 10 weeks of the season, and entered Sunday’s clash with just two losses to their name from 12 clashes, which is enough to place them in second spot in the standings, behind only the Kilsyth Cobras. On the other hand, Geelong United managed just four wins from 11 outings, and would need to bring their best if they were to get the job done.

The first half set the tone for the match, with Frankston jumping out to an enormous lead prior to half time, and although the visitors improved as the game rolled on, the damage was already done as the Blues claimed a huge home win.

Frankston Blues (115) def. Geelong United (85)

It was an arm wrestle to start the contest, with both sides taking the first few minutes to find their groove on the offensive end. Kuol Reech was particularly influential for Geelong early in the piece, helping his team to a 13-12 lead. However, the Blues went on a 21-5 run to close out the term in emphatic fashion and take a 15-point buffer into quarter time.

The two sides traded baskets in the opening minutes of the second term, with United unable to make any ground on the hefty deficit they faced. Things blew out for Geelong again in the second term, with the Blues going on another 14-2 run to just about seal the game despite there being two quarters to play. At the main change, Frankston held a whopping 34-point buffer, and had essentially won the match by that point.

It was a much improved performance from the visitors in the second half, tightening the screws on the defensive end and not allowing the Blues to go on any more emphatic scoring runs. Although they still lost the quarter 20-19 and trailed by 35 points at three quarter time, it was still a better showing than the first half.

The fourth quarter was Geelong’s most productive, finally able to find the bottom of the net at a consistent rate. Although they dropped 32 points in the final 10 minutes, the damage was already done as the Blues cruised home to a 30-point win.

It could not have been a better team performance from the Blues, with a whopping seven players scoring 10-plus points in a stunning showcase of their depth. Leading the way was Nicholas Beattie, who had 21 points, five rebounds and five assists in a standout showing, shooting 8/14 from the field and looking dangerous whenever he had the ball.

For Geelong United, Jackson Talbot fought hard all game to try and keep his side in the game, dropping the most points of any player on the floor. He finished with 25 points on an accurate 10/15 shooting in a valiant performance.

ACROSS THE COURTS

Casey (81) def. Kilsyth (76)
Keysborough (79) def. by Waverley (88)
Kilsyth (85) def. Dandenong (78)
Diamond Valley (62) def. by Sandringham (79)
Knox (65) def. by Nunawading (71)
Wyndham (76) def. by Keilor (83)
Dandenong (82) def. Diamond Valley (72)
Knox (77) def. by Sandringham (78)
Melbourne (74) def. by Kilsyth (87)
Keilor (82) def. by Keysborough (84)