Week two of the new basketball season saw Ballan Brumbies Under 14 Boys C take on Excies Acmy, both sides coming off convincing round one wins. Brumbies welcomed back rebounding machine Angus Eskdale, though lost ace shooter Lachlan Prosser to injury, giving the team a different look.<\/p>\n
Ballan\u2019s response was swift after an Excie basket in the opening minutes with Brody Grech hitting a running jump shot, and Khulan Morris and Eli Rogers both picking up quick buckets as Ballan raced out to a rapid 10-2 break. Defensively, Ballan were all over Excies, their length wreaking havoc in the passing lanes, creating turnovers that led to easy baskets at the other end. Grech \u2013 with some help from Marley Solterbeck \u2013 was crowding their opposition\u2019s airspace whilst big Excies centre Max Rix was eclipsed by Eskdale. Morris, meanwhile, was blocking practically every shot that was attempted near him, causing Excies to second guess themselves. Behind their dominant defense, Ballan had blown this one out of the water, leading 34-8 at the half.<\/p>\n
Excies came out with much greater intensity in the 2nd half, making the Brumbies work on offense. Excies were still spooked by Morris\u2019s rim protection whilst Rix, clearly frustrated with proceedings, was rushing his shots, playing straight into Eskdale\u2019s hands. With the initial surge subdued, normal service resumed for Ballan. Solterbeck and Grech connected on lovely pull up jumps shots and Hamish Stewart proceeded to take advantage of a broken Excies side to score eight points after the break. This game, though, belonged to the dynamic duo of Morris and Rogers with Ballan running out comfortable 55-14 winners, making a mockery of coach Jarrod Prosser\u2019s prediction of a tight encounter.<\/p>\n