The top two sides on the ladder, Ballan Brumbies U12 C boys and Excies Acmy, played out an instant classic. <\/p>\n
Excies came out in a full court press, their high pressure defense potentially dangerous given they were playing without a bench. Concerningly for Excies, Ballan were able to comfortably handle that pressure, getting out the back for easy layups to Eli Rogers, Marley Solterbeck and Harry Garner, as Ballan got off to a strong start. When debutant Ned Conroy hit a jump shot, Ballan lead eight points to two. <\/p>\n
At the other end of the floor, Levi Ward was playing a blinding first half for Excies, scoring 9 of their first 11 points. He was a lone hand, though. When he picked up his 4th foul shortly before half time it could have spelled disaster for Excies, who trailed 14-22 at the half. <\/p>\n
Ballan stumbled early in the second half as their intensity waned and execution faltered. Sensing an opportunity to get back into the match, Excies pounced. With Ward hamstrung by his foul trouble, Jeremiah McPherson stepped up, consistently beating Ballan’s defense on his way to a game high 16 points. <\/p>\n
With the game tied at 28, Brumbies coach Riley Dart called a timeout and implored his boys to step up which, to their credit, they did. Felix Trinder found Garner for a short jump shot before a Solterbeck steal saw Rogers connect for another two points. <\/p>\n
McPherson hit back to back baskets to get Excies back on level terms before the Brumbies finally steadied. Some good positional defense from Tristan Cox saw Ward miss what should have been an easy basket, Conroy making them pay at the other end. <\/p>\n
Ward launched a desperation heave that dropped as the buzzer sounded, but it was academic, Ballan holding on for a 39-35 win in a belter of a match. <\/p>\n