VJBL Grading Phase One complete: Top side from each pool move through to next stage
THE final round of Victorian Junior Basketball (VJBL) grading came to a close over the weekend with the top side in each pool progressing to the next stage leaving the other teams that finished second and third respectively to battle it out in the upcoming crossover stage. Here are the teams from both the Under 16s and Under 16s Boys and Girls competitions respectively that will compete in the Victorian Championship tier in 2021.
Under 16 Boys
With four teams in each pool, only one could make it straight through and for Pool A that was Hawthorn with the side progressing over the likes of Frankston, Bulleen and Coburg. In Pool B Sandringham topped the table while Dandenong also had a similar fate in Pool C making it through to the next round. Despite a loss in Round 2 of the grading phase, Eltham managed to sneak their way in and lead their group while Keilor impressed taking out top spot in Pool E. The final spot in the Under 16 Boys went to Knox who managed to claim the coveted position of first place in Pool F overcoming the likes of Pakenham, Kilsyth and McKinnon.
Hawthorn
Sandringham
Dandenong
Eltham
Keilor
Knox
—
Under 16 Girls
In the Girls Under 16 VJBL division it was Hawthorn 1 that prevailed, comfortably heading into the next stage without entering into the crossover stage. In Pool B Melbourne Tigers walked away with the chocolates holding off the likes of Sandringham, Diamond Valley Eagles and Nunawading to top the table while in Pool C, Casey took the next step forward. In a challenging pool, Kilsyth narrowly prevailed with Dandenong, McKinnon and Latrobe all proving to be threats. The dominance of Keilor continued with the powerhouse club securing top spot in Pool E as Collingwood inflicted the same pain on Pool F to make it through to the next stage in the competition.
Hawthorn 1
Melbourne Tigers
Casey
Kilsyth
Keilor
Collingwood
—
Under 18 Boys
For the Under 18s Boys Melbourne Tigers made it through to the next stage of play surpassing the likes of Waverley Falcons, Wyndham Basketball and Whittlesea Pacers in Pool A. it was a similar story in Pool B as Nunawading claimed top spot and Bulleen did enough to walk away on top in their group standings. It was somewhat of a tight tussle in Pool D with the Kilsyth Cobras pipping Dandenong Rangers at the post alongside Pakenham Warriors and Frankston Blues. McKinnon and Knox were the other two sides directly through to the next stage of play.
Melbourne Tigers
Nunawading
Bulleen
Kilsyth
McKinnon
Knox
—
Under 18 Girls
In the Under 18s Girls sector Ballarat showcased their dominance to progress through to the Victorian Championship tier bypassing Ringwood, Nunawading and Southern Peninsula. Keilor continued to flex their muscle across all levels of basketball making it through to the next stage and topping the table in Pool B as Bulleen also made the cut. The Under 18s female side is the only one through so far for Diamond Valley taking out the top spot in Pool D as Melbourne got over the top of Sandringham in Pool E. The final team through is Melbourne Tigers who managed to secure some much needed wins.
Ballarat
Bulleen
Dandenong
Diamond Valley
Keilor
Melbourne
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