BOUYED by making his NBL1 debut the night before, Marach Marach has sparked the Navexa Geelong United Youth League Men to a stunning 99-52 victory over Altona.
Marach, who spent 2022 with the Gators, finished with 29 points on 75 per cent shooting and grabbed eight rebounds and four steals for good measure in less than 27 minutes on the court.
With the game safely in Geelong United’s keeping when they led 5-16 at half-time, coach Luke Beard was able to rotate his 12-man roster at regular intervals, with no player seeing less than nine minutes on the floor.
Fellow former Altona player Hamish Goodier produced a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double, while Jack Moran (11 points) and Mitch Donovan (10) also reached double figures.
“We locked in early,” coach Luke Beard said. “We wanted to ensure we suffocated Altona’s offence and didn’t give them any second looks at the ball or basket.
“The team played with an intensity that is now the benchmark going forward and defensive ruthlessness that will become our trademark.
“We were very happy with our ability to only let them score 16 points in the first half.
“As a coach, it was pleasing to see players give up good for better on the offensive end.”
The Youth League Men, who now have a 2-1 win-loss record, have a road-home double following the Easter break.
They’ll travel to Bendigo on Saturday, April 15, before returning home the following day for a match-up with Coburg.
Geelong United Youth League Women have again been made to pay for a sub-par shooting performance in a 65-42 road loss to Camberwell.
United, without big Georgia Cox due to NBL1 duties, shot the ball at just 27 per cent and was restricted to 18 fewer shots than the Dragons due to 28 turnovers.
Trailing by seven points at half-time, Geelong United was held to just seven points in the third quarter, with the margin extending to 21 points at three-quarter time.
“We were competitive in spurts,” coach Jason Bannerman said.
“Offensively, we managed to push at times, but with shots not going our way despite a lot of good choices, the scoreboard failed to tick over.
“It’s one where I think we could have achieved a better result.”
Vanessa Marsh (12 points) and Jasmine King (10) did all they could to keep United competitive.
Jason Bannerman’s roster also had a road-home double after the Easter break.
They will travel to McKinnon on Saturday, April 15, before facing Coburg the following afternoon.
