Ballan Brumbies

BALLAN Brumbies Under 16 D Boys overcame an awful start to their game against Phoenix Soldiers to record an exciting come-from-behind win last Friday night.

After seeing Lucas Cardona score the opening two baskets of the game, Phoenix went on 15-point unanswered run that saw the Brumbies in severe trouble only eight minutes in. Cardona ended that run with a bullocking drive to the basket, though immediately undid his good work, fouling Matt Nairn as he attempted a three pointer. Nairn made no mistake from the free throw line, draining all three attempts.

Phoenix stretched their lead out to 16 points, leading 28-12, Cadona having scored all of Ballan’s points. Needing help for Cardona, the other Brumbies started to make their mark. Tom Machin connected for two before Jaxon Giofches drained a long three and Brody Grech made a pair of free throws, the run cutting Phoenix’s lead to 12 at the half, 31-19.

The Brumbies, sporting superior size, made a concerted effort to assert themselves on the interior in the second half. Another pinballing drive from Cardona proceeded Derrick Cox and Rylan Cassar drawing shooting fouls inside, the pair draining three of four free throws. With the Phoenix defense having to collapse onto the Brumbies bigs, Ballan’s sharp shooters found themselves in acres of space, Machin and Grech hitting back-to-back threes. When Charlie Black made a layup on the break it completed a 13-point run that cut Phoenix’s lead to a solitary point with just under five minutes remaining.

Nairn made a much-needed bucket for Phoenix that was answered by a strong Cardona drive from the left. Giofches came ever so close to picking off a pass but unfortunately injured himself in the process, causing a delay in play that threatened to halt Ballan’s momentum.

Cox picked off a pass and fed Machin, who missed the go-ahead basket. Cardona then had the chance to give Ballan a lead but clanked both free throws. He made up for his misses the very next possession, collecting a Black miss and scoring his 18th point on the night to give Ballan the lead with 22 seconds on the clock. Needing a big defensive play, Paul Karimi stepped up to block Mason Walton’s shot, the ball falling to Black who was fouled and made both free throws, giving Ballan a three-point lead with under 10 seconds to play.

Walton, who had already made a trio of threes in this contest, had the chance to tie the game practically on the buzzer. His shot missed, Karimi collecting the board and holding onto the ball as the Brumbies came from the clouds to win 38-35.

Under 10 Boys C defeated Drummo Dragons 16-14

Under 10 Girls C defeated Saints Sharks 22-4

Under 12 Boys C defeated Phoenix Eagles 55-19

Under 12 Boys D lost to Drummo Dragons 24-27

Under 12 Boys F lost to Saints Suns 8-40

Under 12 Girls D defeated Celtic Tigers 40-10

Under 14 Boys A lost to Celtic Tigers 14-67

Under 14 Boys C lost to Sovereign Knights 40-53

Under 14 Boys D lost to Celtic Tigers 21-33

Under 14 Girls C defeated 26-15

Under 16 Boys A lost to Phoenix Bulls 25-93

Under 16 Boys C defeated Celtic Tigers 56-18