Navexa Division 1 Men
Coming into round 5 tied on the ladder with the Venom, the Stingrays looked impressive in a near 40 point rout to secure a top 4 spot as we hit the quarter mark of the season. Holding Warrandyte to just 68 points for the game, which included a dominant second quarter in which the rays held the Venom to just 7 points. The Rays forced 19 turnovers for the game and with an even minutes spread all 11 rostered players hit the scoreboard. Cohen Blythe (Pivot City) was again dominant pouring in 25 points on 60% shooting to go with 6 assists. Michael Rebula (Vytis) and Marc Allan-Goodwin (CC Eagles) backed him up with 12 each.
Sitting on a 4-1 record the rays will play 6 games In the next 21 days starting with a massive Saturday away game against top-ranked Melbourne Uni, before facing Warrnambool at the Arena on Sunday at 12pm.
Top performers
Cohen Blythe 25 points 6 assists 3 rebounds
Michael Rebula 12 points 6 rebounds 3 assists 2 steals
Marc Allan-Goodwin 12 points 7 rebounds 2 assists
Navexa Division 2 Women
Hitting the road Sunday our Women fell just short of handing top of the table Altona their first loss of the season. A rough second quarter in which the Rays were outscored 8-26 was too much for the girls who ultimately went down by 12, 52-64. Abby Loughhead (YMCA) led the way with 16 points to go with 9 rebounds, she was backed up by Jessica Scannell who had an 11 point 13 rebounds double double.
The women will head to Collingwood Sunday to battle with the All-Stars to hopefully propel themselves back up the standings.
Top performers
Abby Loughhead 16 points 9 rebounds 2 assists
Jessica Scannell 11 points 13 rebounds
Navexa Youth League 1 Men
A big home double header this weekend saw our Youth League Men split their games coming away with a Big win against Bendigo and a tightly fought contest against Frankston. A tough 18 point loss on Saturday night at the hands of the Blues 78-96 was not to be overshadowed by some great performances on the stat sheet. A 3rdΒ quarter run cut the Blueβs lead to just 4 points but the boys could not continue their hot shooting seeing the margin slip out for under them. Jay Posterino (Try Boys) once again starred with 18 points and 6 boards.
Sunday was a different story, adding Jack Terrill (YMCA) and Jasper Cheney to the lineup helped the boys dominate the game defensively while running up the scoreboard on the braves. Holding Bendigo to just 49 points for the game, the boys managed to bury them early on their way to 101 points and a 52 point win. Jay Posterino (Try Boys) once again starred with 26 points in just 20 minutes, while Jasper Cheney added 20 of his own.
The boys will face Blues again in Frankston next week and will be hoping to swing the result in their favour.
Top performers
Jay Posterino 18 points 6 rebounds // 26 points 3 rebounds 2 steals
Jasper Cheney 20 points 3 assists
Denver Terrill 14 points 7 rebounds 2 assists
Kuol Reech 12 points 7 boards 2 assists
Navexa Youth League 1 Women
Also facing their own home double-header this weekend, our Youth League 1 Women reversed the results of the men taking a big win Saturday and falling agonizingly short on Sunday. Facing Eltham Saturday night, the United Girls were able to hold off the Wildcats for an 8 point win. Casidhe Green (Pivot City) starred off the bench with 22 points and 6 boards to help propel the team to victory.
Sunday afternoon came down to a nail-biting 4thΒ quarter in which the girls were ultimately unable to snag a win away from the Strong Blues outfit. A tie game with just 2 minutes to go, The Blues Lauren Tuplin made two big 3s to extend the lead to 6, putting the game out of reach for United. Emmy Nekrep (Wildcats) led the way with 15 points and 4 assists and was backed up by Vanessa Marshβs (Pivot City)14 points and 8 rebounds.
The girls will look to regroup for another big double-header as they head to McKinnon to take on the cougars before facing off against Collingwood at the Arena on Sunday at 2pm.
Top performers
Casidhe Green 22 points 6 rebounds 2 steals // 13 points 8 rebounds
Grace Spehar 10 points 11 rebounds // 12 points 11 rebounds
Emmy Nekrep 15 points 4 assists
Vanessa Marsh 14 points 8 rebounds 4 assists
