WHILE the Ashe Pool’s top five sides might be settled, two massive clashes in the Melbourne United Victorian Junior Basketball League (MUVJBL) Under 18 Boys competition will determine which two of a possible three sides will advance through to the championship division after the long weekend two-grade split.
Ashe Pool:
Waverley Falcons (6th, 3-3-2) vs. Dandenong Rangers 2 (9th, 1-7)
Dandenong Rangers (5th, 5-3) vs. Werribee Devils (3rd, 6-2)
Kilsyth Cobras (1st, 6-1-1) vs. Bulleen Boomers (2nd, 6-2)
Collingwood All Stars (10th, 1-7) vs. Bendigo Braves (4th, 5-2-1)
Eltham Wildcats (7th, 3-5) vs. Geelong Supercats (8th, 2-6)
After last weekend’s results with Dandenong Rangers winning and Waverley Falcons losing, the top five are all sealed up, with Dandenong joining Kilsyth Cobras, Bulleen Boomers, Werribee Devils and Bendigo Braves in the championship division. The Devils and Ranges face off for bragging rights this round, while a top-of-the-table clash between Bulleen and Kilsyth will be one to watch. In other games, Eltham Wildcats and Geelong Supercats will fight it out despite their positions being settled. while Dandenong Rangers 2 can overtake the Supercats with a win over the Falcons, as Collingwood All Stars take on the Braves who can finish as high as 2nd with favourable results.
Watson Pool:
Knox Raiders (7th, 3-5) vs. Diamond Valley Eagles (2nd, 6-2)
Ballarat Miners (8th, 3-5) vs. Ringwood Hawks (9th, 1-6-1)
Hawthorn Magic (10th, 0-8) vs. Nunawading Spectres (1st, 6-2)
Keilor Thunder (3rd, 6-2) vs. Korumburra Wildcats (5th, 5-3)
Melbourne Tigers (4th, 5-3) vs. Casey Cavaliers (6th, 4-3-1)
The Watson Pool is where the intrigue is at, with just three of the five teams guaranteed a place in the championship division. Nunawading Spectres are on top and will stay that way taking on the winless Hawthorn Magic, while second placed Diamond Valley Eagles cannot move unless they slip up against seventh placed Knox Raiders. Eighth placed Ballarat Miners and ninth placed Ringwood Hawks are also going head-to-head for bragging rights, but the two remaining games are the big ones. Fourth placed Melbourne Tigers must win against Casey Cavaliers to guarantee a spot in the top five. If Casey win, then the Cavaliers will overtake at least the Tigers to guarantee a spot. The other team in the equation is Korumburra, who like Melbourne can guarantee themselves a spot, but face third placed Keilor Thunder. Win, and they head to the championship division; lose and they will be relying on Melbourne to knock off Casey otherwise they head to the reserve grade. Likewise if Melbourne lose, they will be barracking for Keilor to get up.
