The Melbourne United Victorian Junior Basketball League (MUVJBL) Under 18 Girls Championship division had only one margin beyond two points in Round 2. Kicking off the round at Mullum Mullum Stadium, the Bendigo Braves knocked off the National Junior Classic champions, the Bullen Boomers, 69-53. NBL1 representative, Piper Dunlop, led the Braves with 20-points, while Tess Barnes followed close on 17. For Bulleen, league scoring leader, Alexandra Keating, starred with 25-points – Jessie Yammouni being the next best on 8.

Southern Peninsula hosted the Knox Raiders at Dromana Stadium on Friday and suffered a close 77-79 loss against the undefeated outfit. NBL1 Raiders guard, Alannah Chatfield, led her side to victory with 19-points, while Georgia Baldwin followed on 18. For Southern Peninsula, Charli Dobson and Emirson Devenie impressed on 26 and 17-points respectively.

In one of many tight contests for the round, the Diamond Valley Eagles grip a 65-64 win over the Dandenong Rangers at home. Jade Dunne and Eliza Bannan stood up for Diamond Valley with 17 and 12-points respectively. Regardless of the result, the Rangers fought valiantly in the loss, with Felicity Hilford and Hailey Merrigan scoring 14 and 11-points respectively.

The Nunawading Spectres delivered for their home crowd with 53-51 win over Geelong Supercats, joining the undefeated list as we head into Round 3. Maddison Zugna moved to fourth place on top scorer’s list with 16-points, while Tayha Watkins also delivered on 12. Carly Remmos and Chloe Skinner kept their side alive with 20 and 23-points respectively.

The Altona Gators and Hawthorn Magic put on a nail-biter for spectators, ending the game in 49-49 tie. After facing a close loss against the Raiders last week, the Gators are still without a win on the board. Alicia Sciberras (10 points) and Monique Marcetic-Vaotangi (9) played well for the Gators. While Ryleh Killian starred for her side with 18-points – Ella Crump followed close with 11.

In the reserve grade, the Kilsyth Cobras took a big 81-30 scalp over Mckinnon, with the Keilor Thunder similarly winning over the Dandenong Rangers, 73-53. The Warrandyte Venom lost 52-53 in a thriller against the Nunawading Spectres, while the Broadmedows Broncos impressed their home crowd, beating Pakenham 64-59. Topping off the round, the Melbourne Tigers earned a 72-60 win against the Frankston Blues.

In the Championship Division next week, the Geelong Supercats look to record their first win, facing the Diamond Valley Eagles on the road, while the Nunawading Spectres look to go three in a row up against the Knox Raiders. The Dandenong Rangers and Altona Gators will face at Dandenong Stadium, as the Hawthorn Magic and Bendigo Braves duel it out at Boroondara Sports Complex. The Bulleen Boomers will look to follow up their great work on the road as they close out the round against Southern Peninsula at Dromana Stadium.