The injection of Jack Moran into the roster has helped the Navexa Geelong United Youth League Men stay in the hunt for a top-two finish after outgunning Wyndham in a high-scoring affair at Geelong Arena on Saturday night.
Twenty-six points from Moran, who wasn’t required for NBL1 duty, and a 43-26 third quarter proved the difference as United overcame their nearby rivals 121-97 for their seventh win of the season.
“It was a really solid win against another top-six opponent,” coach Luke Beard said.
“Our offence was flowing, and the ball was getting through multiple hands.
“Our energy was contagious and led to our attacking mindset.
“We would like to tighten up the defence and not leak as many points, but it’s another win locked away.”
Moran’s 26 points came in just under 20 minutes of court time and was complemented by seven rebounds.
Hamish Goodier’s impressive run continued with 18 points, seven rebounds, eight assists and four steals.
Marach Marach, who overcame an ankle injury, suffered the week before, Kuol Reech and captain Seth Garcia each contributed 11 points.
Goodier played the most minutes (26), with none of the 12-man roster playing less than ten minutes.
United can jump into the top two on the ladder when it travels to second-placed Sherbrooke next week.
If the third quarter proved key for Geelong United’s Youth League Men, it proved to be the undoing for the women’s team in its 81-59 loss to Wyndham.
In the contest at halftime, trailing 34-32, United was held to just ten points in the third period as the Devils piled on 26 to take an 18-point buffer into three-quarter time.
United again coughed up the ball too often, committing 23 turnovers.
And while it was less than Wyndham’s 27, the visitors could get away with their tardiness thanks to a shooting percentage of 44 per cent compared to United’s 31 per cent.
“A decent first half was what we were looking for with accountable defence and rotation,” coach Jason Bannerman said.
“Good shot selection and looking after the ball, giving us a great opportunity to capitalise in the second half.
Casidhe Green paced United’s scoring with 14 points while also contributing eight rebounds, four steals and two assists.
Vaness Marsh had 12 points, five rebounds, five steals and two assists, while Phoebe Calvert also dropped 12 points to go with three rebounds, three steals and two assists.
Katija Miklic ensured Geelong United was competitive on the boards with an equal-game-high 13 rebounds.
United, which has dropped to tenth, but only one game behind sixth-placed Craigieburn, next faces bottom-of-the-ladder Warrandyte away on Sunday.
