FRANKSTON has enjoyed a cracking start to season 2022, with three wins from its first three outings. The Blues currently sit atop the VC Ashe division of the Victorian Junior Basketball League (VJBL) competition after three rounds of play. It has been the ideal start to the year, as their high intensity style of play has delivered on a weekly basis. They will face a tough challenge in the upcoming schedule, as they are slated to take on another unbeaten side in Bullen 1 on Friday night in what looms as the game of the round.

Bulleen 1 vs Frankston Blues
Friday, April 1 @ 9:40pm
Mullum Mullum Stadium

In a battle for top of the VC Ashe division, the Frankston Blues will travel to Mullum Mullum Stadium to take on Bullen 1 on Friday night. Both sides have not dropped a game to start the season, and will be eager to keep their streaks rolling, but it can only happen for one. Getting off to a 4-0 start would be the perfect way to begin a championship quest, so expect the two teams to leave nothing on the court.

Bulleen 1 has managed to claim three pretty convincing wins from their first three outings, and while none have been blowouts, they have also never been in doubt. They trail the Blues on the ladder based on percentage, but a win here would see them leapfrog their opponents and claim the head of the table. Last week, Bulleen 1 was too good for Sandringham, putting in a true four quarter performance to claim a double-digit win. They seem to have found a reliable method of winning with their work on both ends of the court, but the Blues have created a similar reputation, so it will be a cracking clash of game styles. Tabitha Betson has been excellent to start the season, and 23 points against Sandringham further emphasised that, so she should be a focal point on the offensive end.

The Blues have also been terrific over the first three weeks, and under coach Adam Kerr, have found the winning method. When speaking to Rookie Me Central on the eve of the 2022 season, Kerr flagged a high energy style of play, and we have seen plenty of it so far. Their work on both the offensive and defensive end of the court has been outstanding, and as a result, they lead their division heading into Round 4. A challenge comes in the form of Bulleen 1, but if their form over recent weeks is anything to go off, then Frankston has the tools to get the job done here, especially if Chantelle James can back up her 24 point outing last weekend.

There are still a number of other games going on around Metropolitan Melbourne on Friday night, so basketball fans will have plenty of action to enjoy.

Across the courts:

VC Ashe

Keilor vs Bulleen 2, 8:20pm, Keilor Stadium
Altona vs Waverley, 9:40pm, Altona Sports Centre
Broadmeadows vs Gippsland United, 9:40pm, Broadmeadows Basketball Stadium
Knox vs Sandringham, 9:40pm, Knox Basketball Stadium

VC Watson

Hawthorn vs Melbourne, 9:20pm, Boroondara Sports Complex
Nunawading vs Casey, 9:40pm, Nunawading Basketball Centre
Kilsyth vs Dandenong, 9:40pm, Kilsyth Basketball Stadium
Diamond Valley vs Wyndham, 9:40pm, Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre