IN Round 3 of the Melbourne United Victorian Junior Basketball League (MUVJBL) Under-16 Girls Championship Division, the Diamond Valley Eagles took down a powerhouse in the Sandringham Sabres, ending their win streak (seven games) with a 56-59 victory on the road. Jessica Delbrocco (13), Sophie Burrows (12) and Aseka Ratnayake (12) all impressed in the win for Diamond Valley. For Sandringham, Ella Razga and Maya Dear both held up with 13 and 12 points respectively in the loss.
In a similarly tight contest, the Bulleen Boomers get one back at home against the Nunawading Spectres, winning 44-42. Ella McIntyre led her side with 16 points, while teammate, Rebecca Horvat, followed close on eight. For the Spectres, Madison Sinclair and Georgia Varcoe stepped up in the loss with 10 points, missing top scorer, Evelyn Curtis, in the tight finish.
The Ballarat Rush hand the Keilor Thunder their first loss on the road with a 56-51 defeat at the Ballarat Miner Dome. The win puts the Rush to sixth – just one spot below the Thunder. Ballarat boasted two great scorers in the victory with Rosie Todd and Georgia Cox dropping 15 points each against top league scorer, Tess Heal. Despite the loss, Heal also dominated with 25 points – Jaz Salon following next best with nine.
In the largest margin of the round, the Hawthorn Magic earn a much-needed 56-31 win at home against the Knox Raiders. Amy Ohara was impressive for the Magic, dropping 17 points alongside teammates, Ally Marshall (13), Ashley Bell (10) and Ciarra Mcalary (10), who also starred in the win. For Knox, Zoe Shaw led scoring with 15 points, followed by Kaitlyn Scott on seven.
To close out the round, the Dandenong Rangers hold onto top spot with a 62-48 win over the Melbourne Tigers at home. The Tigers dip further down the table following the loss and now face the possibility of a bottom spot.
In the reserve grade, the Waverly Falcons earn a good 55-35 win at home against the Altona Gators, while Southern Peninsula fell in Dromana against the Eltham Wildcats (42-54). The Frankston Blues go up at home against the Sunbury Jets (64-49), the Bendigo Braves lose to the Ringwood Hawks (39-43), while the Kilsyth Cobras beat the Bellarine Storm to close out the round (63-41).
On July 19, the Championship Division returns with Diamond Valley set to face Keilor at home, and Dandenong hosting Hawthorn. Knox will travel to MSAC where they face Melbourne, Ballarat takes on Bulleen at Mullum Mullum, and Sandringham closes out the round with a must-see game against Nunawading.
