THE third round of Melbourne United Victorian Junior Basketball League (MUVJBL) Under 16 Boys action gets underway tonight with some of the competitions best shooters going head-to-head.
Ashe Pool:
Southern Peninsula Sharks (7th, 1-1) vs. Eltham Wildcats 2 (9th, 0-2)
Keilor Thunder (3rd, 2-0) vs. Diamond Valley Eagles (6th, 1-1)
Knox Raiders (1st, 2-0) vs. Dandenong Rangers (4th, 1-1)
Whittlesea Pacers (10th, 0-2) vs. Nunawading Spectres (8th, 0-2)
Latrobe Energy (5th, 1-1) vs. Bendigo Braves (2nd, 2-0)
In the Ashe Pool, the only match with both sides on the same win-loss record after two rounds is the winless sides clash of Whittlesea Pacers and Nunawading Spectres. Matthew Ryan has a been a shining light for the Pacers is a slow start to the season, averaging 22.5 points per game, the third most in the grand. Dean Simos is the leading scorer for the Spectres, posting 29 points so far this season for an average of 14.5. Bendigo Braves sit second undefeated, but will trek down to face Latrobe Energy with the best one-two combo in the league. Coby Burgiel has dominated so far, averaging 27.5 points per game, while teammate Jack Hrehoresen has 18.5 across the first two games. For the Braves, they have won with an even spread, as Liam O’Brien‘s 11 points per game is the most of any Bendigo player.
In the other games, top-of-the-table Knox Raiders take on fourth placed Dandenong Rangers with a shootout looming between Jordan Anderson (24.5 points per game) and Jerome Pierre (21) for the respective sides. Meanwhile, third placed Keilor Thunder welcome Diamond Valley Eagles (sixth), and Southern Peninsula Sharks hope to notch up their second win against winless Eltham Wildcats 2.
Watson Pool:
Casey Cavaliers (8th, 0-1-1) vs. Melbourne Tigers (10th, 0-2)
Hawthorn Magic (6th, 1-1) vs. Pakenham Warriors (4th, 1-0-1)
Kilsyth Cobras (7th, 0-1-1) vs. Geelong Supercats (3rd, 1-0-1)
Waverley Falcons (5th, 1-1) vs. Bulleen Boomers (1st, 2-0)
Sunbury Jets (9th, 0-2) vs. Eltham Wildcats (2nd, 2-0)
In the Watson Pool, just two sides have two wins to open the season in an ultimately even group with two draws in as many weeks as well. One of the most even clashes pits sixth placed Hawthorn Magic against fourth placed Pakenham Warriors. The Magic have Denzel Timmons who has averaged 13.5 points per game, while the undefeated Warriors have had Jak-Morris Burney (15.5) and Kayne Taylor (13.5) sharing the points around on the offensive boards. Fifth placed Waverley Falcons hope to take down ladder leaders, Bulleen Boomers in their clash with David Amum the top scorer in the grade having sunk a combined 40 points in his first two games. Will Rimmington (35 points) and Daniel Johnston (27) are the two top Boomers to watch out for on the scoresheet.
In other games, eighth placed Casey Cavaliers hope to add a win to their record having already covered the draw and loss columns, against a Melbourne Tigers side yet to come away with anything other than a loss. Meanwhile, Kilsyth Cobras (seventh) face third placed Geelong Supercats, and ninth placed Sunbury Wildcats will need a lot of luck to topple the strong Eltham Wildcats (second).
