A MATCH-winning triple from Geelong United talent Hugh Buckby was the difference between his side and Melbourne United in a nail-biting second round of the VJBL Under 18 Boys Championship. Buckby shot 14 points in Geelong’s 91-90 triumph over the Tigers, but it was his final shot of the night that sealed the deal and cemented the incredible fourth term comeback at Eagle Stadium.

Without a doubt the match of the round and arguably the fortnight thus far, Geelong United actually held an 11-point lead at the first break, before the Tigers poured on 56 points to 33 over the next two quarters to race out to a 76-64 advantage at the last change.

The teams kept trading blows throughout the first few minutes, with the Tigers leading by 15 points with five and a half minutes on the clock. The game looked safe for the keeping, and when Melbourne was still up by 14 two minutes later, few would have predicted the final result.

However, Geelong went on a tear with Philip Wickham scoring six points in the next couple of minutes as United went on a 15-0 scoring run to hit the front 88-87 following Keegan Johnson‘s And-One conversation from the charity stripe.

Luca Laird gave his team some relief with an important basket, and Archer Donaldson converted one of two from the line to make it a two-point margin. While Geelong could have opted for the safer inside basket to secure a draw, instead United went for the win, racing down the court and dishing it off to Buckby who nailed the game-winning triple with 1.1 seconds left on the clock.

Wickham lead his side’s scoring with 23 points on the night, though he was far from alone. Not only did Buckby put up 14, but Johnson (15), Ayden Kenshole (16) and Edward O’Neill (15) all chipped in with strong performances.

For the Tigers, Hamish Gordon top-scored with 24 points, sharing the bulk of the load with Donaldson who managed 23 on the night. Laird (13) was the other key scorer for the Tigers, in what was a heartbreaking win despite an overall promising performance.

Across the Watson Poole, Kilsyth Cobras also won in a tight one, defeating Eltham Wildcats by five points, 66-61. Dandenong Rangers got up over Knox Raiders’ second side with a 10-point triumph, while Nunawading and Ballarat both picked up comfortable wins over Diamond Valley and Pakenham respectively.

In the Ashe Pool, McKinnon Cougars’ three-point win over Casey Cavaliers was the closest of the night, with the Cavaliers’ first side trouncing Bendigo Spirit 69-48. Across the courts, Keilor Thunder made light work of Eltham’s second team (70-52), while Knox Raiders overcame Sunbury Jets (66-58) and Sandringham Sabres pipped Frankston Blues (56-51).