Three premiership wins

Ballan Brumbies Basketball

It was Grand Final weekend in the Ballarat Basketball Association and Ballan Brumbies were well represented by five teams.

Commiserations to the Under 16 boys and girls, who fought bravely but went down in narrow contests. The Under 14 boys and girls had exciting wins, as well as the Under 19 boys, our match of the week.

With only one loss for the season, Phoenix Hornets came into this showdown as heavy favorites, though Ballan’s huge front line was always going to prove troublesome. So it proved as Ethan Boland, Josh Rofe and Tristan Curwen-King were a constant menace on the boards.

Surprisingly, given the offensive leanings of both sides the game began – and remained – as an almost stereotypical Grand Final defensive struggle, neither side willing to give an inch.

Ballan got the better of the start through star guards Noah Young and Angus Newman who both scored on the break with Boland converting a put back layup. For Phoenix, Taylor Emmins and Dan Schmidt were able to answer Ballan’s initial run.

Rofe’s high energy style was creating havoc for Phoenix, the Ballan wing’s active defense creating deflections and turnovers, setting Newman and the jet heeled Young on their way for numerous fast breaks. Unfortunately, neither – Young in particular, though he still led Ballan with nine points – were able to convert with their usual consistency in the opening half. Again, Boland and Rofe were impactful through their offensive rebounding and second chance points.

At the half Ballan led 12-9, the game very much in the balance.

Phoenix came out strong in the second half, Schmidt especially able to slice through the Brumbies defense for a series of skillful floaters. At the other end, Ballan started to assert their physical dominance though not through their front line but rather their guards.

As Phoenix began to tire Newman and Xavier Winter started to penetrate the key. Winter’s incisive playmaking setting up teammates well and Newman repeatedly drawing contact, living at the foul line. Those fouls would prove a huge factor later in the game.

With four minutes to play, Phoenix lost their first player when Darien Davies-Williams fouled out. Young looked to take advantage of the extra space but wasn’t getting the benefit of the whistle. After voicing his displeasure with a non-call he was given a technical foul, disqualifying him from the remainder of the game, the scores tied at 22.

Emmins was unable to convert the free throws for Phoenix, who’s task was made all the harder when Schmidt fouled out with a minute remaining.

With the game looking increasingly likely to head to overtime, Ballan’s go-ahead basket came from an unlikely source as defensively minded Curwen-King inhaled an offensive rebound, converting the put back to give Ballan a late two point lead.

Phoenix pushed for the tying basket, somehow gathering repeated offensive boards over Ballan’s big front court before Rofe finally corralled the ball. He was fouled and connected on one of his free throws, ending the game.

In an upset, Brumbies took the Championship with a narrow and hard fought 25-22 victory.

REUSLTS – Grand Finals

Under 14 Boys

Ballan White 30 def Phoenix Taipans 30-26

Under 14 Girls

Ballan White 28 def Saints Sky 28-21

Under 16 Boys

Ballan Blue 30 lost Phoenix Devils 33

Under 16 Girls

Ballan White 16 lost Wildcats Blue 23

Under 19 Boys

Ballan Red 25 def Phoenix Hornets 22