WAVERLEY Falcons have played the game of their season, coming back from a half-time deficit to draw with the undefeated Kilsyth Cobras at home in the Melbourne United Victorian Junior Basketball League (MUVJBL) Under 18 Boys championship division. The Falcons trailed by six points at half-time before a massive third term saw the Falcons hit the front by a point. Kilsyth got back on top in the final term but could only wrestle it back to level by the final buzzer. Christopher Adeng scored 16 points for the Falcons, while Mamuch Choul (11), Max Benier (10) and Joseph Locandro (10) were other prolific scorers. For the Cobras, Roosevelt Williams (20 points) and Lachlan Vandervorm (18) were the two main shooters.

The best individual effort of the round was by far Bendigo Braves’ Caleb Connick who singlehandedly lifted his team over the line against Geelong Supercats. The Braves led by eight at half-time, but were challenged in the second half as the Supercats scored 45 points to 40 to only fall three points short. Connick piled on a massive 41 points – more than half of his team’s total score – while Ethan Cunningham and Dylan McCauley both posted eight. Hamish Carey scored 21 points for the Supercats as he, Jay Posterino (19), Kade McKenzie (18) and Ethan Nicholls (11) teamed up to cause the Braves some headaches up the offensive end.

Meanwhile in other Ashe Pool results, Bulleen Boomers handed Dandenong Rangers their second consecutive loss with a 12-point win at Dandenong Stadium. Owen Foxwell scored 22 points and was one of five Boomers to reach double figures, while Riley Simmons (14) was the top scorer for the losing side. Eltham Wildcats added another loss to Dandenong’s second side with an easy 26-point win at home. Matt Debney was on fire with 31 points, while Liam McBride (14) was the highest scorer of the losers. Werribee Devils also kept Collingwood All Stars winless with a 14-point away win. Darrien Herbert scored 15 points for the winners with Makur Jongkuch (14) also prominent, while Charlie Raymond was a lone scoring hand with 22.

Ashe Pool:

Dandenong Rangers 61 defeated by Bulleen Boomers 73
Eltham Wildcats 73 defeated Dandenong Rangers 2 47
Geelong Supercats 74 defeated by Bendigo Braves 77
Collingwood All Stars 53 defeated by Werribee Devils 67
Waverley Falcons 63 drew with Kilsyth Cobras 63

Korumburra announced itself as a genuine title chance with its fourth consecutive win, this time downing Nunawading Spectres – handing the visitors their second consecutive loss. The Wildcats won every quarter in a convincing performance, as Luis D’Angelo piled on 22 points, while Christian D’Angelo (17) and Nick Prowd (12) were also busy. For the Spectres, Luke Spurling sank 11 points as the sole double figure scorer.

It seemed to be a round of upsets as Casey Cavaliers took down Keilor Thunder by four points. The Cavaliers trailed at each break, but made their move in the final term, scoring 17 points to 11 to run over the top of the Thunder in a 61-57 victory. Liam Ingram scored 20 points in the win, while Corey Roos and Kobe Miles (eight each) were also among the top points scorers. For the Thunder, Paul Tsapatolis (21 points) and Jeffrey Ofoedu (17) were the two key scorers in the narrow loss.

Meanwhile across the division, Diamond Valley Eagles won by 17 points over Ballarat Miners. Erik Kafritsas (Diamond Valley) and Austin McKenzie (Ballarat) both scored 17 points for their respective sides, while Matt Marasco finished with 10 points for the Eagles. Melbourne Tigers picked up a comfortable 79-60 win over Knox Raiders as Jordan Adams (20 points) and Justin Bond (16) were prominent on the offensive boards, as were Ezrah Vaigafa (15) and Lyzel Mataika (13). For the Raiders, Josh Woodford (23 points) and Ivan Rajher (13) were the more prolific scorers. The final score between Hawthorn Magic and Ringwood Hawks is yet to be made official.

Watson Pool:

Keilor Thunder 57 defeated by Casey Cavaliers 61
Ballarat Miners 45 defeated by Diamond Valley Eagles 62
Hawthorn Magic vs. Ringwood Hawks (TBC)
Melbourne Tigers 79 defeated Knox Raiders 60
Korumburra Wildcats 69 defeated Nunawading Spectres 53