Whilst they’re locked into a finals spot, the all-important seeding was still to be decided for Ballan Brumbies and Sovereign Knights, their opposition on the weekend in Ballarat Basketballs under 14 Boys B competition. Sitting third and fourth respectively both teams were hoping to avoid the 1-4 bracket.<\/p>\n
For the second week running, Ballan were inattentive in defensive transition from the jump, allowing Knights to get out on the break for some easy baskets in the first few minutes.<\/p>\n
By contrast, all of the Brumbies buckets came via tough drives the hoop from Lachlan Prosser, Eli Rogers and Emmett Tamanika.<\/p>\n
After a timeout to reset their defence, Ballan began to take control of the game. Knights star Kaelen Paterson was having his way with Ballan’s defensive ace Marley Solterbeck, though switching the bigger Khulan Morris onto him slowed him down. Knights towering centre Ben Allan was proving difficult to contain on the offensive glass, however.<\/p>\n
Ballan’s improved defence allowed them to get out and run with Prosser, Tamanika and Hamish Stewart scoring on the break as the Brumbies started to ease out their lead.<\/p>\n
Two late Paterson baskets were answered by a Morris three pointer and a bullocking late basket and free throw from Angus Eskdale saw Ballan take a 26-20 lead into the break.<\/p>\n
Ballan came out of the break half asleep as Jaxon Christie began to run proceedings for Knights. He got to the hoop seemingly at will, living at the free throw line.<\/p>\n
In adjusting to take away his drive, the Brumbies afforded Christie space to shoot which he readily accepted with back-to-back three pointers, important buckets with Prosser and Paterson – the two leading outside shooters in the division – unable to calibrate their radars.<\/p>\n
Knights were now in control as Ballan struggled to score. Tamanika was getting good looks though couldn’t convert, Rogers was getting frustrated as perceived poor whistles and Solterbeck was missing his mid-rangers. It was only Prosser and especially Morris attacking the hoop that kept the Brumbies in touch.<\/p>\n
With six minutes remaining and the match close to slipping away, the Brumbies at long last found their rhythm.<\/p>\n
On defence, Ballan started to control the defensive glass which allowed Rogers, Stewart and Solterbeck to ramp up their ball pressure, creating turnovers that saw Ballan bring the match back to a one basket contest.<\/p>\n
After exchanging some makes and with a minute to play, Morris took over. A steal saw him feed Prosser for a driving layup, before a strong rebound saw him get the ball to Tamanika who drew a shooting foul.<\/p>\n
Making the first free throw, Tamanika missed the second, but Morris was there with a vital offensive rebound and put back as the Brumbies lead by three. Morris and Rogers then combined to create another turnover with only seconds on the clock, allowing the Brumbies to run out 43-30 winners, a resilient win despite not playing anywhere near their best basketball.<\/p>\n