LATROBE Energy survived a scare from Geelong Supercats in the Melbourne United Victorian Junior Basketball League (MUVJBL) Under 16 Boys competition, winning by four points in a round otherwise littered by one-sided results. The damaging Energy duo of Jack Hrehoresen (25 points) and Coby Burgiel (19) were at it again, scoring two-thirds of the team’s points, while Koby Tibballs chipped in with 12. For the Supercats, Billy Dawson (19 points), Jet Kneebone (14) and Olivier Northam (15) were the key scorers in the narrow 63-67 loss.

At the other end of the scale, Waverley Falcons shot to the top of the table with a 20-point win on the road against Dandenong Rangers. Nemuel Soliven posted a game-high 19 points for the winners, but he was far from alone, with Matt Jefferson (16), David Amum (14) and Tesloch Thong (10) all reaching double figures. Jerome Pierre was the most effective for the Rangers with 12 points, while Dennis Ameti (11) and Nyareth Mayoum (10) were also productive.

Keilor Thunder settled into second spot on the table thanks to a 14-point triumph over Bendigo Braves. The Thunder got up 61-47 on the road, with Cooper Colson sinking 19 points and Jackson Djatschenko finishing with 11. The Thunder had nine scorers on the night, including Nikolas Ellul (eight points) and Brodie McWhinney (seven). For the Braves, Macey Eaton (18 points) and Jacob Nihill (17) did the majority of the damage.

Knox Raiders won in front of a home crowd in Boronia, downing Bulleen Boomers, 66-51. Jordan Anderson (15 points) and Zachary Greeves (14) led the way, as Blake Stratton (12) was also impressive. The Boomers had their fair share of shooters, with Daniel Poelsma sinking 16 points, while Daniel Johnston (12) and Marcel Haj (11) showed they can be damaging when at their best.

In the final game of the round, Eltham Wildcats became the third side to win away from home for the round, downing Pakenham Warriors by 13 points. Anton Stratov was enormous with 23 points, the second most for the round, while Bradley Moorey sank 11. Jye McAlister also finished with seven points for the winners, while Drue Maher (10 points) and Lachlan Smith (eight) were the best for the home team.

In the reserve grade, Melbourne Tigers belted Sunbury Jets by 27 points, one better than Kilsyth Cobras’ 26-point win over Southern Peninsula Sharks. In much tighter games, Eltham Wildcats 2 got up 43-42 over Whittlesea Pacers, Hawthorn Magic defeated Diamond Valley Eagles 75-69, and Nunawading Spectres got the job done against Casey Cavaliers 70-61.

In Round 2 for the Championship Division, Waverley travel to Knox in a battle of two impressive sides from Round 1, while Latrobe is back at home for a second consecutive week, this time against Bulleen. In other games, Keilor hosts Pakenham, Eltham travels to Bendigo, and one of Geelong or Dandenong will get on the board after first round defeats.

Round 1 results:

Bendigo Braves 47 defeated by Keilor Thunder 61
Knox Raiders 66 defeated Bulleen Boomers 51
Latrobe Energy 67 defeated Geelong Supercats 63
Dandenong Rangers 54 defeated by Waverley Falcons 74
Pakenham Warriors 47 defeated by Eltham Wildcats 60