Players returned to the hardwood over the weekend, the Under 12 Boys B looking to maintain their hold on top spot on the ladder against Celtic Tigers. Both teams love to play attractive, up-tempo basketball, Celtic through their foot speed, Brumbies via crisp ball movement.<\/p>\n
Ballan got on the board first through Hamish Stewart with Eli Rogers and Harry Garner following suit to give Ballan an early break. Celtic had their chances, though were met with the fierce rim protection of Marley Solterbeck, who blocked four shots inside the first five minutes. Oli Cox eventually got Celtic going with a driving layup. <\/p>\n
Ballan’s combination of stifling defense and quick transition offense was causing all sorts of issues for Celtic. Stewart and Rogers were controlling the defensive glass with Garner the primary beneficiary, scoring 12 of his eventual game high 21 points in a blistering opening half.
\nWhen Celtic were able to slow Ballan down, quick passing by Toby Rewuk set up Stewart and Rogers for buckets. <\/p>\n
Just as the game threatened to break open, Celtic ramped up their defensive pressure, creating just a hint of hesitation in Ballan’s passing game, then using their speed to pick off those loose passes. Jai Carey scored a couple of baskets from turnovers for Celtic, though Ballan were spared as Celtic missed far more chances than they converted as the Brumbies turned the ball over seemingly everytime they had it late in the half. Still, Ballan held an 18-12 lead as the teams took a break after Tristan Cox scored just before the buzzer. <\/p>\n
The game continued in a similar pattern in the second half, though Ballan were noticeably more diligent in looking after the ball. Whilst they were able to get into good positions, shots were refusing to fall, the usually reliable Felix Trinder having an off shooting day, though his movement was on point. <\/p>\n
Celtic continued to push, Carey especially causing issues with his speed and ability to score in traffic. With just under 10 minutes to play, he’d dragged Celtic back to within a solitary point of Ballan. Needing a boost, Harry Garner stepped forward. <\/p>\n
The pocket rocket came through with a series of baskets – a give-and-go with Trinder, a jumper from a Rewuk pass, another after a lovely find from Rogers – that eased the pressure on the Brumbies. Further baskets from Rogers and Stewart put the game beyond doubt, Ballan running out 37-28 winners. <\/p>\n