With only a few rounds to go in Big V 2022, our 4 teams are heating up and looking to make late pushes to secure their final spots as the season draws to a close. After a week off all 4 of our teams were back in action, check out how each team went below!
NAVEXA DIVISION 1 MEN
A back and forth battle between two of the top sides in the league has resulted in our Men falling by 8 points in a game that got away from them. A back and forth game that included 17 lead changes did not fall the way of the Rays on Sunday as they slip to 9-6 and 5th on the Big V ladder. A tie game at the halftime break, the Rays came out strong to push a 10-point lead mid-way through the 3rd quarter, however, some hot shooting for the Uni Blacks allowed them to close the deficit to just 2 points heading into the final 10 minutes of action. Shooting just 36% for the game, the 4th quarter stung as the Men ultimately fell 86-94 on their home court.
The team will regroup and look to next weekβs match-up against Warrandyte, as they attempt to reinsert themselves into the top 4 spot of the league.
TOP PERFORMERS
Michael Rebula 19 points 7 rebounds 4 steals
Cohen Blythe 14 points 5 assists 5 steals 2 blocks
Aaron Ruiz 6 points 14 rebounds 1 steal
NAVEXA DIVISION 2 WOMEN
It was a double header weekend for our Division 2 Women as they split their weekend 1-1. Taking on Altona Saturday night at the Geelong Arena, the Rays found themselves in an early 7-point deficit that was ultimately too much for the team to overcome. Evening out the score over the following two quarters, Geelong was unable to put Altona away as they fell by 16 as the final buzzer sounded.
Sunday our Women once again lined up again at the Geelong Arena to take on Gippsland United in shaped up to be a great match-up. Looking to keep their season on track the Women came out firing and by halftime enjoyed an 8-point lead. Extending the lead to 11 during the 3rd quarter, the Rays were able to hang on to grab an important win on the season.
TOP PERFORMERS
Jess Scannell 21 points 11 rebounds 4 assists // 17 points 13 rebounds 2 assists
Carly Remmos 22 points 6 rebounds 3 assists 2 steals // 15 points 5 rebounds 3 assists 3 steals
Bree Matthews 21 points 4 rebounds
NAVEXA YOUTH LEAGUE 1 MEN
Heading to the bush our Youth League Men took on the Warrandyte Venom on Saturday night in a closely contested game. Jumping out to a 12 point lead through the first quarter, it was looking like a hot night from the field as Jay Posterino had 10 points through the first 5 minutes of play. It was a further successful 2nd quarter as the lead was extended to 14 at the halftime break. A blip in the 3rd quarter saw the Venom cut the deficit to just 6, before going on a tear in the final 10 minutes to pull away 9 point winners.
The boys will regroup and look to next weeks away game against Wyndham.
TOP PERFORMERS
Jay Posterino 20 points 9 rebounds 2 assists
Jack Terrill 18 points 10 rebounds 2 blocks
Jasper Cheney 17 points 1 rebound
NAVEXA YOUTH LEAGUE 1 WOMEN
Our Youth League Women have also split their double header weekend coming away with an impressive win against Sherbrooke on Saturday night. Opening up a 15-point lead through the first 10 minutes, it was all Geelong for the remainder of the game as they piled on their points, outscoring the Suns 113-46. Connecting on 10 threes and heading to the FT line 36 times showed the dominance of our girls in this game, as they accounted for 25 steals on the night. The defensive prowess of the team also showed up in their field goal comparison, as the team managed an additional 45 shots compared to the Suns. Aimee Wookey was superb in the game nearly grabbing herself a triple-double posting 8 points 17 rebounds and 9 steals.
Sunday was unfortunately a different story as the girls fell to a well-drilled and rested Wyndham team 96-56. For Wyndham, Holly Dolny was on fire as she dropped a game-high 41 points which well and truly buried the Geelong girls. Emmy Nekrep was the bright spot in this game as she posted 15 points and 7 rebounds. The girls now hold an 8 and 8 record as they push to break into the finals fixture for 2022.
They will look to keep rolling as they head to Pakenham on Saturday.
TOP PERFORMERS
Vanessa Marsh 20 points 4 rebounds 4 steals // 11 points 3 assists
Emmy Nekrep 19 points 3 rebounds 2 assists // 15 points 7 rebounds
Aimee Wookey 8 points 17 rebounds 9 steals 2 blocks
Paris Kevric 16 points 6 rebounds 3 assists 2 steals
