Ballan Brumbies Basketball

Week two of the new basketball season saw Ballan Brumbies Under 14 Boys C take on Excies Acmy, both sides coming off convincing round one wins. Brumbies welcomed back rebounding machine Angus Eskdale, though lost ace shooter Lachlan Prosser to injury, giving the team a different look.

Ballan’s response was swift after an Excie basket in the opening minutes with Brody Grech hitting a running jump shot, and Khulan Morris and Eli Rogers both picking up quick buckets as Ballan raced out to a rapid 10-2 break. Defensively, Ballan were all over Excies, their length wreaking havoc in the passing lanes, creating turnovers that led to easy baskets at the other end. Grech – with some help from Marley Solterbeck – was crowding their opposition’s airspace whilst big Excies centre Max Rix was eclipsed by Eskdale. Morris, meanwhile, was blocking practically every shot that was attempted near him, causing Excies to second guess themselves. Behind their dominant defense, Ballan had blown this one out of the water, leading 34-8 at the half.

Excies came out with much greater intensity in the 2nd half, making the Brumbies work on offense. Excies were still spooked by Morris’s rim protection whilst Rix, clearly frustrated with proceedings, was rushing his shots, playing straight into Eskdale’s hands. With the initial surge subdued, normal service resumed for Ballan. Solterbeck and Grech connected on lovely pull up jumps shots and Hamish Stewart proceeded to take advantage of a broken Excies side to score eight points after the break. This game, though, belonged to the dynamic duo of Morris and Rogers with Ballan running out comfortable 55-14 winners, making a mockery of coach Jarrod Prosser’s prediction of a tight encounter.

RESULTS
Under 10 Boys
Ballan D 12 def Phoenix Panthers 9
Ballan C 8 lost Wildcats 14
Under 12 Boys
Ballan E 14 lost Phoenix Bishops 17
Ballan C White 27 drew Excies Acmy 27
Ballan C Blue 12 lost Wildcats 17
Under 14 Boys
Ballan F 16 lost Drummo Dragons 28
Ballan E 13 lost Excies Acmy 42
Ballan D 41 def Phoenix Crocodiles 20
Ballan C 55 def Excies Army 14
Under 14 Girls
Ballan 33 def Celtic Tigers 20
Under 16 Boys
Ballan F 27 lost Wildcats 56
Ballan D 52 def Wildcats 48
Ballan A 33 lost Celtic Tigers 54
Under 16 Girls
Ballan 33 def Phoenix Heat 10
Under 19 Boys
Ballan F 33 lost Wildcats 55
Ballan D 35 lost Phoenix Rangers 36
Ballan B 32 lost Saints Sonics 54
Under 19 Girls
Ballan 41 def Celtic Tigers 27