Mixed weekend opens United’s NBL1 campaign

GEELONG United’s NBL1 South teams both suffered losses to open their seasons, while the Youth League Boys continued a hot start at the weekend.

In a double-header at the Geelong Arena, United’s women started the afternoon with a defeat to Kilsyth by 15 points.

After a tight first half, the Cobras pulled away late to secure the 15-point victory.

New recruit Jordan Vasquez top scored for Geelong with 21 points, while Indiah Bower added 16 and Lilly Rotunno 13.

United went undefeated for the entire 2025 season only to go down to Knox in the grand final.

The men also suited up in their season opener against Kilsyth and lost by 12 points.

Much like the women, both sides were locked in a tight first half before the Cobras piled on 25 points to 14 in the last quarter to pull away for the win.

Fresh face Deng Riak led the way in his Geelong debut with 13 points and 12 rebounds, while veteran Demarcus Gaitlin top scored with 17 points.

United’s Youth League sides played before the the NBL1 clashes, with the boys improving to a 3-1 record after beating Casey by a convincing 29 points.

After taking a six-point lead into the main break, Geelong scored 52 points to the Cavaliers’ 30 in a second-half blitz.

Five players had double-digit totals in the win, led by Jay Posterino with 18 in just 17 minutes.

The Youth League girls went down by 12 points to Casey at home, but turned around quickly to overcome Knox by three points on Sunday and claim their first win of the season.

The Raiders made a fast start, but United were able to claw back and prevail in a tight finish.

Four players scored in the double digits, led by Ameir Majur’s 15 points and 11 rebounds.