THREE teams can still fit into the final two spots in the Ashe Pool, while four teams are still in the hunt for two spots in the Watson Pool of the Melbourne United Victorian Junior Basketball League (MUVJBL) Under 18 Girls competition.
Ashe Pool:
Frankston Blues (8th, 2-6) vs. Bulleen Boomers (2nd, 7-1)
McKinnon Cougars (10th, 0-8) vs. Dandenong Rangers (3rd, 5-3)
Diamond Valley Eagles (4th, 5-3) vs. Kilsyth Cobras (6th, 4-4)
Nunawading Spectres 2 (7th, 3-5) vs. Knox Raiders (1st, 8-0)
Pakenham Warriors (9th, 1-7) vs. Southern Peninsula Sharks (5th, 5-3)
Knox Raiders, Bulleen Boomers and the impressive percentage of Dandenong Rangers ensure the top three sides will advance through to the championship division after the two-grade split. The biggest match of the round is fourth placed Diamond Valley Eagles taking on sixth placed Kilsyth Cobras. The winner is guaranteed a spot in the championship division, while the loser is all but out of the running with fifth placed Southern Peninsula Sharks expected to win against ninth placed Pakenham Warriors. In other games, the top three sides play three of the bottom four sides, in what would predicted to be one-sided contests.
Watson Pool:
Geelong Supercats (5th, 4-4) vs. Warrandyte Venom (10th, 0-8)
Keilor Thunder (7th, 4-4) vs. Dandenong Rangers 2 (8th, 3-5)
Bendigo Braves (3rd, 5-3) vs. Hawthorn Magic (2nd, 6-1-1)
ALtona Gators (1st, 7-1) vs. Broadmeadows Broncos (6th, 4-4)
Melbourne Tigers (9th, 1-6-1) vs. Nunawading Spectres (4th, 5-3)
The overall Watson Pool is as even as it gets with one win separating third from seventh on the table. Altona Gators and Hawthorn Magic are already through to the championship division, and while Bendigo Braves could lose to second placed Hawthorn, they are through given their massive percentage – the highest in the grade at 130.9. There are then four teams battling for the remaining two spots. Fourth placed Nunawading Spectres is in the box seat and would take a heavy loss against ninth placed Melbourne Tigers, while Broadmeadows Broncos would need to smash Altona. Fifth placed Geelong is the most vulnerable top five side, with a loss, and then a win to either Broadmeadows, or more likely seventh placed Keilor Thunder set to tumble them out of the five. Luckily the Supercats play the winless Warrandyte Venom, and considering the stakes, should secure their spot.
