Ballan Brumbies Basketball

After a heartbreaking loss last week to a buzzer beating heave from half court, Ballan Brumbies Under 14 Boys C looked to bounce back with a win against Celtic Tigers.

The boys got off to a fast start with Jaxon Giofches and Charlie Black each setting up the other for baskets before Tom Machin finished a well worked fast break to give Ballan a quick 6-0 lead before Seth Egan got Celtic on the board.

The speedy Ballan outfit was everywhere on defense, causing panic in the Celtic guards. Unable to capitalise inside, the Brumbies were resorting to outside shots and whilst Machin did connect on a three pointer and Toby Rewuk a mid-range jumper, it did slow Ballan down. At the other end Ballan’s speed was forcing Celtic into poor shots but that size allowed Celtic to clean up on the offensive glass, generating easy points.

Celtic had closed the gap as half time approached but a pair of jumpshots from Rewuk and a typical swashbuckling drive from Black saw the Brumbies extend the margin once again, leading 21-14 at the half.

Celtic came out well in the second half as Egan and Riley Cirvydas – impressive all game – started to control the pace of the game and take away Ballan’s quick counter attacks. The Brumbies, though, again began to impose their will through sheer speed at both ends. Harry Garner picked off a pass and fed Machin for an easy two before Black did the same for Giofches. Celtic made another little push behind Cirvydas and Harvey Nicholls though Michael Kellett – the sharp shooter hit a jumper from a lovely Garner feed and then picked off a pass in the backcourt, strolling in for the easy layup to effectively end Celtic’s hopes. Ballan eased the margin out in the final stages to win 40-26 in a match that whilst they had under control, wasn’t as comfortable as the margin might suggest.

RESULTS
Under 10 Boys
Ballan D 30 def Wildcats 30-8
Ballan C 16 def Drummo Dragons 15
Under 12 Boys
Ballan E 10 drew Drummo Dragons 10
Ballan C White 51 def Celtic Tigers 15
Ballan C Blue 36 def Celtic Tigers 14
Under 12 Girls
Ballan 16 def Phoenix Emeralds 7
Under 14 Boys
Ballan F 9 lost Phoenix Blazers 28
Ballan C 40 def Celtic Tigers 26
Ballan C 23 lost Excies Acmy 55
Under 14 Girls
Ballan 23 def Saints Rangers 16
Under 16 Boys
Ballan F White 29 lost Celtic Tigers 41
Ballan F Blue 17 lost Saints Cannons 48
Ballan D 64 def Saints Blazers 47
Ballan A 40 lost Celtic Tigers 56
Under 16 Girls
Ballan 26 lost Drummo Dragons 35
Under 19 Boys
Ballan F 25 lost Saints Jets 35
Ballan D 28 lost Excies Acmy 40
Ballan B 38 lost Saints Sonics 46
Under 19 Girls
Ballan 30 lost Excies Acmy 38