THE Sunbury Jets have a tough matchup in the Big V Women’s basketball competition this weekend, but if they can upset the Bulleen Boomers, then it will go a long way to staying put inside the top four.

The two teams are set to face off at East Doncaster Secondary College on Saturday night, with plenty on the line for both sides given how the standings have panned out thus far.

After 11 rounds of action, the Boomers are in hot pursuit of top spot, while the Jets are looking to stay in the top portion of the ladder, so it is shaping as a crucial matchup for two well-performing sides so far this season.

The result of the game will have a fair say on the shape of the top four moving forward, as the fixture for season 2022 moves into its second half.

Bulleen Boomers vs. Sunbury Jets
Saturday, June 18 @ 8pm
East Doncaster Secondary College

The Boomers have been one of the better performers in the first half of the year, winning 10 of their first 12 outings. That record sees them sit in second spot on the ladder, just one victory behind the ladder-leading Wyndham.

A win against the Jets would be massive in closing the gap, and they will be the favoured side here. However, Sunbury has brought a fair few sides undone with its explosive offence at times, so Bulleen likely won’t take the opposition lightly.

The key for the Boomers will be making sure they work equally as hard on both ends, and their offence keeps rolling past a Jets defence that has proven leaky at times. Watch for Olivia Bontempelli to be involved, given she is averaging a team-high 17.64 points a game.

Sunbury has all the tools to be a top-four side, it is just a matter of stringing together some consistent performances. With a record of seven wins and six losses, the Jets have won slightly more than half their games so far this season.

With some seriously talented players on their list (particularly on the offensive end), the Jets often succeed at posting a winning score. Their achilles heel has come in the form of some defensive failures, with the offence often passing them with fast play. This will need to lift if they are to take down an in-form Bulleen side.

Ida Anderson has been a terrific performer for the Jets in her 10 games for 2022, averaging 18.9 points per outing. If Sunbury wants to get the job done, they will need to get the ball in her hands as much as possible.