ROUND 7 of the Melbourne United Victorian Junior Basketball League (MUVJBL) Under 18 Boys competition tips off tomorrow night with a number of tight clashes expected.
Ashe Pool:
Waverley Falcons (6th, 2-2-2) vs. Eltham Wildcats (7th, 3-3)
Bendigo Braves (5th, 3-2-1) vs. Dandenong Rangers (2nd, 4-2)
Geelong Falcons (8th, 2-4) vs. Bulleen Boomers (3rd, 4-2)
Dandenong Rangers 2 (9th, 1-5) vs. Werribee Devils (4th, 4-2)
Collingwood All Stars (10th, 0-6 vs. Kilsyth Cobras (1st, 5-0-1)
In the Ashe Pool, sixth placed Waverley Falcons will be keen to continue their form which saw them draw with the undefeated Kilsyth Cobras, when they take on Eltham Wildcats who despite winning one more game are below them on the ladder due to the Falcons’ two draws this season. They will have to be wary of Matt Debney‘s influence with the shooter averaging 22 points per game, the most of any player. Caleb Connick (19.5 points per game) and the Bendigo Braves bounced back with a win last week and tackle the Rangers who have now dropped their past two matches and have slipped three points behind top spot. Level with the Rangers on points are Bulleen Boomers who have strung three wins together and now face Geelong Supercats after the Supercats lost back-to-back wins. In other games, Kilsyth Cobras and Collingwood All Stars are at opposite ends of the ladder which could spell a one-sided contest, while fourth placed Werribee Devils travel to face Dandenong Rangers 2. The Devils have two of the top scorers this season with Darrien Herbert (16 points per game) and Makur Jongkuch (15.6) in the top 15.
Watson Pool:
Hawthorn Magic (10th, 0-6) vs. Knox Raiders (8th, 2-4)
Casey Cavaliers (6th, 3-3) vs. Ringwood Hawks (9th, 1-5)
Korumburra Wildcats (3rd, 4-2) vs. Diamond Valley Eagles (4th, 4-2)
Melbourne Tigers (1st, 5-1) vs. Keilor Thunder (5th, 4-2)
Nunawading Spectres (2nd, 4-2) vs. Ballarat Miners (7th, 3-3)
In the Watson Pool, the last remaining winless side in Hawthorn Magic will hope to get a drought-breaking victory against Knox Raiders just two places higher, while sixth placed Casey Cavaliers will host Ringwood Hawks, with the Hawks having broken through for their first victory last round. The Cavaliers themselves are in good form, notching up wins in the past two rounds. The two biggest games of the Pool are the clash between third placed Korumburra Wildcats going head-to-head with fourth placed Diamond Valley Eagles, while top-of-the-table Melbourne Tigers host fifth placed Keilor Thunder. Some of the league’s top shooters are among the top sides with Paul Tsapatolis (Keilor, 20.6 points per game) and Keith Robinson (Korumburra, 20.6) in their respective games. Remarkably the Wildcats have won four in a row and will be keen to extend their lead inside the top three. Keilor is yet to lose away against a Melbourne side who is yet to lose at home, which spells for a terrific contest. In the final game of the round, second placed Nunawading Spectres host seventh placed Ballarat Miners who both have slipped of late, dropping their past two matches.
