THE third day of the 2024 Under-18 Club Championships saw the pool rounds wrap up in exciting fashion, with the finals set to get underway today.

The best sides will advance to the first stage of the finals, keeping their championship hopes alive, while the remaining teams will be playing for classification.

Day three of the Club Championships saw the Joondalup Wolves get the job done against Canberra in a convincing 24-point win early in the day.

Although it was a tight affair in the opening period, with Canberra showing it was up for the fight, the second quarter was where the game was broken wide open. The Wolves began to put more defensive pressure on the ball-handler, forcing turnovers and producing baskets in transition.

Despite putting up a brave fight, even when trailing big, Canberra was simply unable to match Joondalup’s production and struggled to find good looks. The Wolves were relentless, getting the most out of their stars en route to a 66-24 win.

Joondalup’s ability to break away on the scoreboard was largely set up by the efforts of Taj Gleeson, who was the most impactful player on the court. The guard was at his brilliant best on the offensive end, completely torching his defender and exploding for his best outing of the tournament.

He finished the game with 20 points, accounting for nearly a third of his team’s score in total. Gleeson knocked down five triples, and really got on a role in the second term to help the Wolves establish a dominant lead and take control of the match.

Also impressing was Wieu Atuer, with the athletic big man complimenting Gleeson well and establishing himself as one of the most talented players at the Club Championships. Whether it was throwing down dunks or crashing the glass for big rebounds, he certainly made a difference. The big man finished with 13 points in another eye-catching display.

The finals begin on Friday, with the best sides set to lock horns in entertaining matchups at HBF Arena.

U18 Girls Club Championships

Tasmania Tigers (48) def. by Binar (78)
Canberra (61) def. by Perry Lakes Hawks (75)
West Adelaide Bearcats (65) def. Cockburn Cougars (40)
Rockingham Flames (29) def. by Sandringham Sabres (71)
Joondalup Wolves (42) def. by Melbourne Tigers (86)
Warwick Senators (81) def. Lakeside Lightning (32)
West Adelaide Bearcats (65) def. Keilor Thunder (64)
Canberra (38) def. by Hills Hornets (81)
Tasmania Tigers (32) def. by Norths Bears (84)

U18 Boys Club Championships

Central Districts (95) def. Binar (52)
Perry Lakes Hawks (56) def. by Frankston Blues (62)
Dandenong Rangers (82) def. East Perth Eagles (56)
Rio Tinto Wildcats Academy (64) def. by West Adelaide Bearcats (87)
Canberra (42) def. by Joondalup Wolves (66)
Diamond Valley Eagles (70) def. by Warwick Senators (73)
Tasmania Devils (52) def. by Willetton Tigers (88)
Knox Raiders (83) def. Cockburn Cougars (62)