With 5 big games played this weekend, Our Stingrays and Geelong United teams all picked up important wins as we push into the second half of the Big V season. Check out how our teams went below!
NAVEXA DIVISION 1 MEN
A gruelling Sunday afternoon game for a very depleted Stingrays line-up has seen them come from behind to steal a ‘season defining win’ to ensure the team stays in outright second on the Big V ladder. Heading into half time down 31-41. The small ball line-up was brought out by Coach Hutchison going against the grain of the tall Keysborough line-up. Racking up steals and fast breaks left and right the team was able to cut the deficit and grind out a 9 point win despite the availability of only 9 rostered players.
Unfortunately, there are no stats for the game as of yet, however the performance of the team as a whole demonstrated that it doesn’t matter who is available, the Stingrays are a problem for any team to handle.
The Men will travel to Shepparton and look to rectify a blip in their season from last week, as they try to maintain their ladder position against the 3rd placed Gators.
NAVEXA DIVISION 2 WOMEN
Looking to get their season back on track, the Stingrays Women had a great win over Collingwood by 38 points, with a final score of 80-42. Coach Jase Bannerman had this to say after the game.
‘After a terrible 4 weeks with covid, sickness and some hardcore injury. The ladies steadied to get the W in a really disciplined game getting through sets and defence. Getting a full squad on the floor in the next few weeks will show where we are at. Great to get the win at home in front of the home crowd.’
With no stats available we cannot crown the top performers of this game, however a strong team effort was displayed as the team is starting to get into their groove for the latter part of the season.
NAVEXA YOUTH LEAGUE 1 MEN
A big double header weekend has seen our Youth League Men split their weekend picking up another important win to keep them in the finals hunt for 2022.
Facing off against finals contenders Altona on Saturday night saw the boys play an inspired brank of basketball. Taking it to the impressive Altona line-up the boys headed into the half with only a 3 point deficit. While the second half didn’t fall the teams way, going down by 7, 79-86, the game was a definite confidence booster that showed the team they can hang with the top teams in 2022. Patrick Johnstone (YMCA) led the way with 18 points, while Jack Terrill (YMCA) posted a double-double with 15 and 11.
Sunday the team headed to Broadmeadows, looking to take them down for the second time in as many weeks. Hume were quick to jump out to a 13 point lead by the end of the first quarter as it didn’t look good for the boys early. A steading second quarter saw them cut the deficit by 1, before outscoring the Broncos 28-14 to take the lead headed into the fourth. A tight fourth quarter saw the teams go back and forth and when the clock hit 0, the scores were level.
Heading into overtime. The Geelong boys would not be denied a win as they outscored the Broncos 13-8 on their way to a 97-92 win.
The team will head to Camberwell next week in hopes of knocking of the undefeated Dragons.
TOP PERFORMERS
Jack Terrill 15 points 11 rebounds 3 assists // 15 points 11 rebounds
Patrick Johnstone 18 points 3 rebounds
Jay Posterino 19 points 9 rebounds
NAVEXA YOUTH LEAGUE WOMEN
Our Youth league Women have come away with a great win against Camberwell downing them 67-60 in a massive 4th quarter scoring effort. A slow start for both teams through three quarters saw the scores sit at 31-35 before the lid came off both ends as the Geelong United girls put up a massive 36 points to run away 7 pointer winners. Grace Spehar was brilliant with 19 points and 16 rebounds to go with 2 blocks. While Emmy Nekrep (Wildcats) off the bench put up 19 of her own while recording 4 steals.
The win keeps the girls in the finals hunt as they prepare to travel to Sherbrooke to take on the suns next Sunday.
TOP PERFORMERS
Grace Spehar 19 points 16 rebounds 2 blocks
Emmy Nekrep 19 points 4 steals
Alana Anthony 9 points 11 rebounds 6 assists 4 steals
Photo: Peter Foster Photography
