THERE might have been a school holidays break, but Bulleen Boomers and Knox Raiders continue to be the leading sides in the Melbourne United Victorian Junior Basketball League (MUVJBL) Under 16 Boys championship division. The Raiders accounted for Keilor Thunder in a 61-point win in the Ashe Pool, while the Boomers sent Sunbury Jets packing in a 50-point victory. Competition leading points scorer, Jordan Anderson was on fire for the Raiders, sinking 38 points, while Tejaye Kleverkamp scored 22. For the Boomers, Marcel Haj scored 25 points, and was one of six players who reached double figures in the win.
Elsewhere in the Ashe Pool saw Bendigo Braves moved into second spot, but not without a massive challenge from Nunawading Spectres. The Braves got home by two points, with Liam O’Brien (14 points) and William King (13) leading the way, while Tristan Devers sank 20 for the Spectres. Dandenong Rangers got their season back on track with an easy 74-48 victory over cellar dwellers, Whittlesea Pacers. Jerome Pierre was on fire with 28 points, while Adrian D’Intinosante was the top scorer for the Pacers.
Similarly, Southern Peninsula Sharks also got back on the winners board with a 53-43 win over Diamond Valley Eagles. Darcy Jones scored 14 points, well aided by teammate Ben Fisher‘s 12. For the Eagles, Jackson Harding (14) and Corey Rutherford (10) were the key scorers. In the other game in the pool, Latrobe Energy got the points against Eltham Wildcats 2, winning 54-46. Coby Burgiel (21 points) continued his good form, while Koby Tibballs (17) was just as impressive for the winners, while Brody Glenn (13) and Ryan Sizeland (12) stood up in defeat.
Ashe Pool:
Southern Peninsula Sharks 53 defeated Diamond Valley Eagles 43
Eltham Wildcats 2 46 defeated by Latrobe Energy 54
Dandenong Rangers 74 defeated Whittlesea Pacers 48
Knox Raiders 102 defeated Keilor Thunder 61
Nunawading Spectres 62 defeated by Bendigo Braves 64
In the four other Watson Pool games, each match was decided by between 10 and 12 points. Geelong Supercats and Pakenham Warriors both kept up their unbeaten run, defeating Melbourne Tigers and Kilsyth Cobras respectively. Jamie Ryan (20 points) was the top scorer for the Supercats, while James McCombe was the sole double-figure scorer for the Tigers. Pakenham’s Jak Morris-Burney (20 points) and Drue Maher (14) led the way, while Harrison Adams top-scored for the Cobras with 10.
Casey Cavaliers produced the upset of the season to down Eltham Wildcats away by 10 points. Blake Shankland was superb with 20 points, while Anton Stratov sank 13 for the Wildcats. In the other game, Waverley Falcons moved into outright fifth by downing Hawthorn Magic, 70-60. David Amum scored 18 points in the victory, while Ned Caldwell did all he could for the Magic with 20.
Watson Pool:
Geelong Supercats 65 defeated Melbourne Tigers 54
Hawthorn Magic 60 defeated by Waverley Falcons 70
Pakenham Warriors 60 defeated Kilsyth Cobras 48
Sunbury Jets 49 defeated by Bulleen Boomers 99
Eltham Wildcats 47 defeated by Casey Cavaliers 57
