IT IS still the Sandringham Sabres’ title to lose in the Victorian Junior Basketball League (VJBL) U18 Girls VC Championship for 2025, after keeping their winning streak going with a 14-point win over the Kilsyth Cobras on Friday night.

The Sabres are yet to win a game this season, and are clearly atop the standings since the regrading a couple of months ago. They were going to receive a reasonable challenge from the Cobras however, with Kilsyth sitting in second spot with a record of six wins and one loss coming into the clash, and boasting home court advantage as well at Kilsyth Basketball Stadium.

On the back of a dominant first-half display, the Sabres managed to cruise home to their eighth win in the VC Championship division, and keep one hand on the trophy for 2025.

Kilsyth Cobras (46) def. by Sandringham Sabres (60)

It was the perfect start from the Sabres in the opening quarter, jumping out to an 8-2 lead and flexing their muscles, particularly on the scoring front. Sandringham’s offensive potency was fully on display and the Cobras simply could not keep up. At the end of the first frame, the visitors held a 10-point lead and showed why they are the favourites to win it all.

Sandringham kept its momentum rolling into the second frame, with Sally Burke‘s troops proving superb this season in keeping the pressure on the opposition. The Cobras were hounded on the defensive end and struggled to find many good looks from the field, largely due to the defensive pressure from the Sabres. At half time, the lead was at a game-high 17 points and it was another clinical performance from the ladder-leaders.

It was a solid response from the Cobras, who were able to drag themselves back into the contest through pure defensive effort. Although Kilsyth’s offensive production still lacked firepower, the home side were much more restrictive after the main break, and the margin was cut back down to nine points after a 10-0 run from the Cobras to close out the third frame.

Although the Cobras were trying to make a run and pull off the miracle comeback, the Sabres were simply able to always answer down the other end. The closest Kilsyth got was eight points, before consecutive three-pointers from Lily Newman-Morris broke the game open and sealed the win for Sandringham, with the visitors showing their class in the final minutes of the match.

Madison Ryan led all-comers for the Sabres in their eighth win of the season, posting 19 points for the match and playing a big role in getting the team to such a significant lead in the opening half. Also impressing was Melinna Kapetanas, who continued her strong campaign with another 14 points against Kilsyth.

For the Cobras, Brylee Anderson led the way on the scoring front, posting 13 points, which was the most of any Kilsyth player, while Saraya Landy was not far behind with 12 points of her own as the duo tried to spark some offence for the Cobras.

Across the courts

The Dandeong Rangers were emphatic in their win over Geelong United at Dandenong Stadium on Friday night, cruising home to an 18-point win as the hefty road trip proved too much for the visitors in the first game of the round.

The McKinnon Cougars and Nunawading Spectres could not be split after four quarters, playing out a thrilling draw after the latter stormed home with a defining 24-16 fourth quarter at Bentleigh Secondary College.

The Melbourne Tigers were roaring at home on Friday night, handing the Bulleen Boomers a 19-point triumph at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre, claiming their third win in the VC Championship competition.

Finally, the Eltham Wildcats did enough to move into second spot in the standings after getting the better of the Keilor Thunder when the two sides went head to head at Keilor Stadium and making the most of a Cobras loss.