Ballan Brumbies Basketball

The top two sides on the ladder, Ballan Brumbies U12 C boys and Excies Acmy, played out an instant classic.

Excies came out in a full court press, their high pressure defense potentially dangerous given they were playing without a bench. Concerningly for Excies, Ballan were able to comfortably handle that pressure, getting out the back for easy layups to Eli Rogers, Marley Solterbeck and Harry Garner, as Ballan got off to a strong start. When debutant Ned Conroy hit a jump shot, Ballan lead eight points to two.

At the other end of the floor, Levi Ward was playing a blinding first half for Excies, scoring 9 of their first 11 points. He was a lone hand, though. When he picked up his 4th foul shortly before half time it could have spelled disaster for Excies, who trailed 14-22 at the half.

Ballan stumbled early in the second half as their intensity waned and execution faltered. Sensing an opportunity to get back into the match, Excies pounced. With Ward hamstrung by his foul trouble, Jeremiah McPherson stepped up, consistently beating Ballan’s defense on his way to a game high 16 points.

With the game tied at 28, Brumbies coach Riley Dart called a timeout and implored his boys to step up which, to their credit, they did. Felix Trinder found Garner for a short jump shot before a Solterbeck steal saw Rogers connect for another two points.

McPherson hit back to back baskets to get Excies back on level terms before the Brumbies finally steadied. Some good positional defense from Tristan Cox saw Ward miss what should have been an easy basket, Conroy making them pay at the other end.

Ward launched a desperation heave that dropped as the buzzer sounded, but it was academic, Ballan holding on for a 39-35 win in a belter of a match.

RESULTS

Under 10 Boys
Ballan D 8 lost Saints Nets 28
Ballan B 5 lost Phoenix Tigers 13
Under 12 Boys
Ballan E 30 def Phoenix Braves 2
Ballan C 39 def Excies Acmy 35
Under 12 Girls
Ballan 14 lost Phoenix Pearls 15
Under 14 Boys
Ballan F White 39 def Phoenix Titans 23
Ballan F Blue 7 lost Saints Taipans 42
Ballan D 50 def Saints Pelicans 11
Ballan C 43 def Saints Lakers 28
Under 14 Girls
Ballan D 40 def Drummo Dragons 20
Ballan B 36 def Celtic Tigers 13
Under 16 Boys
Ballan G White 8 lost Sovereign Knights 42
Ballan G Blue 1 lost Wildcats 40
Ballan E 46 def Drummo Dragons 28
Ballan C 33 lost Saints Blazers 47
Under 19 Boys
Ballan H 38 lost Phoenix Broncos 44
Ballan E 30 def Drummo Dragons 23
Ballan D 48 def Celtic Tigers 42
Under 19 Girls
Ballan 40 def Phoenix Sparks 22