AFTER a high-quality first round of action last weekend, the Victorian Junior Basketball League (VJBL) Under 18 Girls competition is back for another batch of games. The upcoming second round will see some more cracking contests take place across a number of courts on Friday night. The first week saw some dominant performances from plenty of sides, and these teams will be hoping to keep this momentum rolling. On the other hand, those who stalled in their first outing will be eager to bounce back after a disappointing start.

Altona vs Frankston Blues
Friday, March 18 @9:40pm
Altona Sports Centre

One of the most intriguing matchups of the week will see two of the competition’s top three sides go head-to-head when the Frankston Blues travel across to Altona Sports Centre to take on Altona on Friday night. Both sides got off to a ripping start last week, claiming convincing wins to get themselves around the top of the standings after the first round of action.

Altona was dominant in their opening round matchup against Bullen last Friday night. They convincingly outworked their opponents on both ends of the floor in a clinical display. It was the ideal start for the side as they positioned themselves in second spot on the ladder as they look to continue their hot form this week. Their offence was clinical in the triumph, and they will be eager to produce a similar output this weekend. The duo of Trinity King-Hawea and Rosabella Asiata proved to be the most damaging factor in this match, and if they can combine for another 39 points this time around, then it will go a long way to securing the win.

The Blues kicked things off in style in Round 1 last weekend, simply outperforming their opponents in Waverley at home. With plenty of hope for their upcoming season, Frankston could not have started any better, and will be looking to back it up this week against a formidable opponent. They implemented their high-energy play on the offensive end, and harassed their opponents on the defensive end of the court. Waverley had no opportunity to get off an easy shot, and the Blues will be thinking of doing the same to Altona this week, although they wield some powerful offensive weapons. Frankston will be likely to get the ball in the hands of Chantelle James again this week, after a 17-point outing last weekend.

With plenty more action on the cards for the weekend, keep an eye out on the other matches taking place around Metropolitan Melbourne on Friday night, as the competition begins to get the wheels rolling for the 2022 season in a big way.

Across the courts:

VC Ashe

Bulleen 2 vs Sandringham, 8:20pm, Mullum Mullum Stadium
Gippsland United vs Keilor, 9:20pm, Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium
Broadmeadows vs Waverley, 9:40pm, Broadmeadows Basketball Stadium
Bulleen 1 vs Knox, 9:40pm, Mullum Mullum Stadium

VC Watson

Kilsyth vs Hawthorn, 8:20pm, Kilsyth Basketball Stadium
Eltham vs Dandenong, 9:40pm, Eltham High School
Wyndham vs Nunawading, 9:40pm, Eagle Stadium
Casey vs Melbourne, 9:40pm, Casey Stadium
Diamond Valley vs Ballarat, 9:40pm, Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre