The basketball season continued with Ballan Brumbies Under 19 Boys D taking on Phoenix Ninjas, both teams sitting just outside the top four. Ballan would have to watch for Phoenix star Jack Sherman who had been a singular offensive force for his team.<\/p>\n
Despite James Burton scoring directly from the tip off, the game got off to a slow start as neither team could really find a rhythm. Phoenix was unable to figure out Ballan\u2019s zone defense, forced into settling for errant long jumpshots whilst Ballan were getting into the key but struggling to finish over Phoenix\u2019s phalanx of athletes. Ballan eventually started to find their way to buckets through Barney Batiste\u2019s offensive rebounding and the ability of James Prosser and Will Lewis to push the pace in the open floor. Defensively Ballan were excellent through the first half, Albie Eskdale a wall in the middle of the paint, Prosser and Batiste cleaning up well on the backline.<\/p>\n
It wasn\u2019t pretty, by any means, but Ballan led 14-8 at the half.<\/p>\n
Phoenix had to drag the side back into the contest and took the game by the scruff of the neck early in the second half, scoring a quick six points to open the half and get Phoenix back on level terms. Ballan, though, poked and prodded the Phoenix defense through the patient play of point guard Rhys Mitchell.<\/p>\n
When Archie Wilson hit a corner three for Phoenix, they took their first lead of the game as Ballan started to struggle with Phoenix\u2019s speed across the floor. The boys, though, increased their defensive efforts as Burton and Lewis both picked up steals and Prosser blocked Sherman at the rim. Lewis hit a driving basket and Mitchell connected with a three coming off a Prosser screen to get Ballan back into it.<\/p>\n
Phoenix, though, still led by a point with just under two minutes to play. Mitchell drove to the hoop and got fouled by Gus Prenc. His first free throw wasn\u2019t the prettiest, but banking in still counts. The second was pure and gave Ballan a one-point lead that they would hold onto with tough, disciplined defense in the final stages; the Brumbies coming through with a tense 28-27 win.<\/p>\n