United bounces home with state silverware

February 28, 2022 BY Billy Higgins

Geelong United's victorious under-16 and 18 boys teams from the weekend's Junior Country Championships at Bendigo. Photo: SUPPLIED

THE future of Geelong United basketball looks in safe hands, with the club’s under-18 boys crowned the top team in regional Victoria for the second straight year after winning the 2022 Junior Country Championships.

Geelong defeated hosts Bendigo Braves in the top-age division one final, with a dominant last quarter setting up a 55-36 win.

Joe Pike, from local club YMCA, top scored in the final with 16 points, with Jack Connolly (YMCA) also in double figures with 12.

Bailey Bruce (YMCA) top scored for the tournament, averaging 11.3 points over his team’s six games, including a high of 28 points in the pool-stage win over Wonthaggi.

United defeated Bellarine, Mildura and Wonthaggi to reach the division one finals.

The team rode its luck early on Sunday, when a buzzer-beating shot from Shepparton rolled around the rim before falling out for Geelong to escape with a 55-53 win.

Geelong’s semi-final also had a dramatic finish. United came from eight points behind with three minutes left to take the lead in the dying seconds, before a timekeeping error allowed Ballarat to score a late basket.

The Miners thought they had scored a match-winning three-pointer but the referee ruled the shot a two, forcing overtime, in which Geelong prevailed 47-44 to advance to the final.

Under-18 boys coach Tim O’Leary said a team-first ethos had propelled Geelong to its tournament victory.

“All tournaments are hard to win, but to win six games in two games is especially tough,” he said.

“We could have played our best players all week and probably not made the grand final.

“It’s not about just providing the opportunities for individuals to shine, it’s about the team, and that’s what Geelong United is all about.”

Meanwhile, United’s under-16 boys team also returned with silverware after winning its division two final, with a 46-43 triumph over Whittlesea.

Geelong’s under-18 girls side reached the division two grand final but went down to Traralgon, 38-29, while the under-16 girls lost their division one quarter final to the same opponents, 36-30.