Ballan Brumbies Basketball

Ballan Brumbies U19 Boys D looked to continue their undefeated start to the season against Phoenix Sharks last Saturday.

Ballan certainly started the stronger, their new 1-3-1 defense suffocating Phoenix, whilst at the other end, Sam Cooper and Oscar Marion were able to control the tempo of the offense. When Fergus McCausland scored from an offensive rebound, Ballan had raced to a 13-4 lead.

Phoenix, though, began to exploit Ballan’s defense from the corners, Nathan Mortimer and Mitch Bykersma both connecting on threes. For their part, Ballan’s fast starting offense began to regress into a slow, sludgy, individualistic attack. McCausland and Marion, the prime offensive weapons for the Brumbies, were frustrated by Phoenix’s interior defense, missing a series of shots. That allowed their opponents to get out and run, Mortimer the beneficiary as he capitalised on the fast break.

Brumbies point guard Cooper took control of the offense, feeding Jim Gorman for a slicing drive to the hoop and set James Burton on his way, eventually leading to a driving Ryan Pearce lay up as Ballan recovered to lead 21-14 at the half.

After the break, Ballan again stepped up their defense, Marion doing yeoman’s work along the baseline. The Brumbies defensive efforts led to turnovers and, in turn, fast break opportunities that were cashed in by the jet heeled McCausland and Gorman. With just under 10 minutes remaining, Ballan had stretched their lead out to 13 points, leading 36-23.

With the match in danger of slipping away Phoenix started to lean on Bykersma for offense and their star wing delivered. He scored nine of his 12 points in a quick five minute burst from a series of tough, heavily contested jump shots. His efforts, along with some clutch free throw shooting by Clayton Geddes, saw Phoenix tie up the ball game.

The tide turned, though, on a big three pointer from Gorman whilst being fouled by Bykersma. The Brumbies wing converted the four point play in a sequence that visibly deflated the Phoenix boys. A short baseline jumper from Gorman in the final minute saw the Brumbies take home a hard-earned 42-36 win.

RESULTS
Under 8
Ballan 25 def Drummo Dragons 8
Under 10 Boys
Ballan D 28 lost Wildcats 46
Ballan B 14 lost Wildcats 23
Under 12 Boys
Ballan C 71 def Phoenix Lynx 23
Under 12 Girls
Ballan 23 lost Saints Shock 39
Under 14 Boys
Ballan F White 23 def Drummo Dragons 5
Ballan D 54 def Celtic Tigers 25
Ballan B 44 lost Saints Pacers 57
Under 14 Girls
Ballan D 4 lost Saints Rangers 32
Ballan B 9 lost Saints Spirit 30
Under 16 Boys
Ballan G Blue 27 lost Brumbies White 55
Ballan G White 55 def Brumbies Blue 27
Ballan E 35 def Saints Cannons 26
Under 19 Boys
Ballan H 30 def Phoenix Patriots 29
Ballan E 38 lost Drummo Dragons 55
Ballan D 42 def Phoenix Sharks 36
Under 19 Girls
Ballan 83 def Phoenix Hurricanes 8