Ballan Brumbies 12 Boys E and Saints Suns matched up on the weekend, both looking to maintain their top four spots on the Ballarat Basketball Association ladder.<\/p>\n
Ballan were without a number of influential players, though coach Max Farrell still had a solid rotation to call upon.<\/p>\n
The game was tight early, Tommy Sims scoring the opening basket of the game after strong work on the offensive glass, before feeding Hugh Blair for an easy two points.<\/p>\n
Saints were able to respond through Ari Krawczuk and the impressive Reuben Bassett-Zwar. The speed of Sims and Ned Conroy in the open floor was causing all sorts of issues for Saints, though Ballan were unable to capitalise as their shooting left lots to be desired.<\/p>\n
The teams traded baskets for the remainder of the half, Ballan leading 11-10 on the back of a late Conroy free throw.<\/p>\n
Ballan attempted to stretch the game further in the second half, using their superior speed to run Saints off of their legs. The plan worked well: Toby Rewuk scored an easy open court layup from a Conroy dish, Eddie Tranter converting on the break after good work by Lachlan Grech. When Blair scored from an offensive board and Conroy connected on a jump shot, Ballan suddenly led 21-12 and looked good value for that lead.<\/p>\n
Saints, though, were not done. A basket by Eddie Ryall was followed quickly by baskets to Krawczuk and Noah Sheehan. When Bassett-Zwar made a free throw, Saints comeback was complete, the team in navy tying the score at 23 apiece with just over three minutes to play.<\/p>\n
Conroy, whose sheer athleticism was a thorn in Saints side all game, was everywhere on defense. At the other end of the floor, Saints were crowding him though and the rest of the Brumbies couldn’t make use of that space. Blair, Rewuk, then Grech all missed gettable chances.<\/p>\n
Finally, Conroy found a slither of space at the free throw line, confidently draining his jump shot to give Ballan the lead with two minutes on the clock.<\/p>\n
The game got scrappy as Saints pushed for a late equaliser as the Brumbies held firm for a riveting 25-23 victory.<\/p>\n
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