After a heartbreaking loss last week to a buzzer beating heave from half court, Ballan Brumbies Under 14 Boys C looked to bounce back with a win against Celtic Tigers.<\/p>\n
The boys got off to a fast start with Jaxon Giofches and Charlie Black each setting up the other for baskets before Tom Machin finished a well worked fast break to give Ballan a quick 6-0 lead before Seth Egan got Celtic on the board.<\/p>\n
The speedy Ballan outfit was everywhere on defense, causing panic in the Celtic guards. Unable to capitalise inside, the Brumbies were resorting to outside shots and whilst Machin did connect on a three pointer and Toby Rewuk a mid-range jumper, it did slow Ballan down. At the other end Ballan\u2019s speed was forcing Celtic into poor shots but that size allowed Celtic to clean up on the offensive glass, generating easy points.<\/p>\n
Celtic had closed the gap as half time approached but a pair of jumpshots from Rewuk and a typical swashbuckling drive from Black saw the Brumbies extend the margin once again, leading 21-14 at the half.<\/p>\n
Celtic came out well in the second half as Egan and Riley Cirvydas \u2013 impressive all game \u2013 started to control the pace of the game and take away Ballan\u2019s quick counter attacks. The Brumbies, though, again began to impose their will through sheer speed at both ends. Harry Garner picked off a pass and fed Machin for an easy two before Black did the same for Giofches. Celtic made another little push behind Cirvydas and Harvey Nicholls though Michael Kellett \u2013 the sharp shooter hit a jumper from a lovely Garner feed and then picked off a pass in the backcourt, strolling in for the easy layup to effectively end Celtic\u2019s hopes. Ballan eased the margin out in the final stages to win 40-26 in a match that whilst they had under control, wasn\u2019t as comfortable as the margin might suggest.<\/p>\n