The U16 Boys C played out a top-of-the-table nail biter against Sovereign Knights, who were led by long time former Brumby Jack Hollitt.<\/p>\n
Ballan started the game on fire, Noah Pace hitting a pair of deep three pointers and Barney Batiste having his way inside as Ballan raced out to an 11-2 lead, the Brumbies passing their way into open shots. At the other end of the floor, Ballan’s hard nosed defense was frustrating Knights stars Hollitt and Cooper Monteduro, the latter committing a pair of needless offensive fouls.<\/p>\n
Nonetheless Knights started to drag themselves back into the match through Hollitt’s efforts on offense as he flashed his improved jump shot, whilst Monteduro bullied his way to the basket to cut the margin to three before Harrison Clark stopped the run with a tough contested layup.<\/p>\n
Ballan again asserted their authority as Pace sliced through the defense to find younger brother James for an easy bucket. Defensively, Batiste, Will Lewis and James Prosser were corralling just about every rebound that came their way, limiting the dangerous Knights to a single shot every possession.<\/p>\n
When a clearly irritated Moteduro committed his 3rd offensive foul of the half in the final minute, Knights were in trouble. They trailed Ballan 14-27 at the half.<\/p>\n
To their credit, Knights came out a different side after the break.<\/p>\n
As Knights charged, Prosser made the play of the game. The only defender back on a 3-on-1 fast break, the versatile defender didn’t bite on a Monteduro ball fake and rose against the much bigger player, blocking his layup attempt clean. That play visibly took the wind out of Sovereign sails.<\/p>\n
Ballan got a steadying basket when Noah Pace found Clark for a baseline jumper before Pace himself got an east two after strong defense by Lewis.<\/p>\n
Knights pushed hard in the final five minutes but strong defense from James Pace and Noah Cardona \u2013 who picked up steals on consecutive possessions \u2013 saw the Kinghts efforts thwarted.<\/p>\n
The Brumbies held on for a 36-32 win in a wildly entertaining game of basketball.<\/p>\n
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