Big win for Brumbies

WITH the core of the team playing their final game before ageing out of junior basketball, Ballan Brumbies under 19 girls had enough to play for in the grand final against the undefeated Wildcats. Throw in the chance to make history as the young club’s first three-peat champs, and it would have been understandable if the weight of the occasion became too much.

In a tense opening, the teams traded baskets. Speedster Ava Connally opened the scoring on the break, Cassandra Scott answering for Wildcats. Amy O’Brien connected on a little flip shot – Wildcats answered. Stella McLeod banked home a long jumper and Wildcats ace Gemma Gale responded with one of her own. Ballan broke out, though, with Ruby McLeod finding Carly McCausland for two and an aggressive O’Brien out-muscling her opponents inside. The introduction of Wildcats energy bit Nyabiey Wuordrol had the desired effect, her sheer tenacity throwing Ballan off their game and energising her own team. When Gale scored in the break, the game was again tied up.

O’Brien can sometimes let the game drift on the offensive end – she was determined to not let that happen in this game. She finished the half with 11 points as Ballan led 17-15 at the break.

Wildcats changed their defensive scheme at the break, using Wuordrol to front O’Brien, with 6’3″ Olivia Radisich – the only player capable of looking O’Brien in the eye – behind her. Whilst the change-up did create a few turnovers, which got Wildcats out on the break, it did result in some easy buckets for O’Brien when the entry pass was on the money, Radisich simply not strong enough to contain Ballan’s centre. When McCausland again got on the break, this time converting a lead pass from Albi Pike, Wildcats were forced into a timeout.

Whatever changes were made by Wildcats, they worked. Wuordol began to drive, powering through Ballan’s baseline defense and either getting baskets or drawing fouls. She put Stella McLeod and O’Brien into foul trouble though Mia Callander provided stout resistance. At the other end, Ballan were trying to exploit the gap left by Wuordol face guarding O’Brien, though Callander and Connally were unable to make use of the space, Radisich’s length proving an issue.

Trailing 25-29 and with O’Brien nursing a fourth foul, Ballan needed a spark and got it from a familiar duo: Connally feeding McCausland for a basket before McCausland found Connally for two. In between those two baskets, however, came a real turning point as Ruby McLeod – a gifted passer though not the shooter that her big sister is – drained a long three that got a pensive Ballan crowd up and about.

With their tales up, Ballan looked like they would pull away. It took a huge three from the skillful Gale – to this point well held by Ballan’s disciplined defense on her – to cut the margin to a point with two minutes to play.

Both sides exchanged misses, including a rare double miss at the free throw line from Gale, before Ballan managed to work a good 40 seconds off the clock with some dangerous keep-away passing. Wildcats, having no choice but to foul and create stoppages, barely missed stealing the ball on two inbounds passes. The third, a gem of a ball from Stella McLeod, led O’Brien into a layup – her 21st points – with 11 seconds to play. An airballed three on the buzzer by Gale saw the Brumbies end the Wildcats perfect season and come away with their own little piece of history, winning 38-35.

Uder 12 Boys F lost to Phoenix Bishops 33-35 (3OT)

Under 14 Girls C lost to Drummo Dragons 20-49

Under 14 Girls E lost to Phoenix Pearls 20-29

Under 16 Boys F lost to Phoenix Colts 17-37

Under 19 Girls B defeated Wildcats 38-35