BENDIGO Braves have secured an all-important one-point victory over Keilor Thunder in the Melbourne United Victorian Junior Basketball League (MUVJBL) Under 16 Boys championship division. The Braves won their third game of the season and handed the Thunder their first loss for the year, leaving Knox Raiders as the only undefeated team in the Ashe Pool.
After a super first term where the Braves raced away to a 10-point lead, the home team hit back over the next two terms to draw within a point. Both sides went toe-for-toe in the final stanza with the visitors holding onto the narrow victory. Jacob Nihill posted 12 points for the winners, while Liam O’Brien (nine), Macey Eaton (eight) and Edward Hayes (eight) all got amongst the scorers for the Braves. For the Thunder, Cooper Colson led the way with 12 points, while Jackson Djatschenko (nine) and Deklan O’Toole (seven) were other important players on the night.
Nunawading Spectres took it right up to second placed Latrobe Energy at home in Round 4, stunning the top two side with a 23-16 first quarter, before Energy restored the balance to lead by four at the main break. They blew it out to 14 by the final break before Nunawading hit back to cut the final deficit to a respectable nine points, 76-67. Coby Burgiel was up to his usual tricks for Latrobe, posting a game-high 30 points, while Jack Hrehoresen finished with 12 and Thomas Stephenson sunk 11. For the Spectres, Tristan Devers was impressive with 22 points, as was Lucas Koch (18) and Dean Simos (13).
In other results, the Raiders enjoyed a 68-56 win over Diamond Valley Eagles after trailing at half-time. Jordan Anderson shot 29 points in the win, while Jack Miles finished with 19 for the Eagles. It was not a great weekend for Southern Peninsula Sharks, going down to Dandenong Rangers, then Eltham Wildcats 2 in the rescheduled Round 3 clash, while the scores from the Wildcats’ other clash with Whittlesea Pacers was yet to be posted.
Looking to the Watson Pool, it was business as usual with the top five teams defeating the bottom five teams on Friday night. Bulleen raced away to a 22-point lead against Hawthorn Magic by half-time and consolidated the win, 80-51. Marcel Haj and Daniel Poelsma both scored 16 points, while Will Rimmington (14) and Daniel Johnston (10) also shared in the scoring. For the Magic, Jarryd Remy (14) points was the leading scorer ahead of Luca Cawthorn-Breheny and Johnny Furphy (both 12).
Eltham Wildcats were equally as impressive against Kilsyth Cobras, running out 68-44 winners. Joshua Weddle (15 points) led the charge, while Riley Lewis and Anton Stratov (both 11) were very good. Zachary Fitpatrick (10 points) was the sole double-figure scorer for the Cobras. Waverley Falcons were also far too good for Melbourne Tigers, putting together a dominant four quarter performance to win 78-42. Matt Jefferson posted 19 points, while Sam Haffenden (13), Tesloch Thong (12) and David Amum (11) all registered double-figure scores. For the Tigers, Samuel Tanasic finished with eight points as Melbourne’s highest scorer on the night.
In other results, Geelong Supercats had an easy 28-point win at home against Casey Cavaliers, while Pakenham Warriors recorded their third victory with a solid 66-56 triumph over cellar dwellers, Sunbury Jets.
