It was a tough weekend for the Navexa Geelong United Youth League teams, with just one win from three starts.
Luke Beard’s Youth League Men started the weekend in fine style with a 75-67 victory over third-placed Camberwell Dragons at Balwyn High School on Saturday night.
A 24-16 third quarter proved to be the difference between United and the Dragons.
Marach Marach shot at an incredible 83 per cent from the field on his way to a game-high 21 points. He also grabbed nine rebounds for good measure.
Hamish Goodier (14 points, seven rebounds, three assists) and Bailey Bruce (12 points, four steals) provided solid support.
“Our ability to outlast the opposition with our energy and effort was the difference,” Beard said of United’s sixth win of the season.
“We played great team ball at both ends of the court and made sure we executed the fundamentals.”
If the third quarter proved beneficial in beating Camberwell, it was Geelong United’s undoing on Sunday against ladder-leader Hume City at Broadmeadows Basketball Stadium.
Trailing by six at half-time, United was blown off the court by the Broncos, who piled on 42 points to open up a 31-point buffer at three-quarter time before claiming a 99-75 victory.
“A total mental lapse in the third quarter below this game apart,” Beard said.
“A lot of lessons to come out of it and chances to improve.”
Goodier (17 points, seven rebounds) and Will McPherson (17 points, four rebounds) were the only consistent offensive threats for United.
United sits fourth on the ladder with a 6-3 win-loss record ahead of its Round 8 meeting with Wyndham Devils at Geelong Arena on Saturday night.
The Navexa Geelong United Youth League Women were unable to go the distance with Sunbury, suffering an 84-66 loss at Boardman Stadium on Saturday night.
Less than a fortnight after shooting down the Jets at the Arena Annexe, United was outscored in every quarter.
Coach Jason Bannerman said it was a game United “let slip”.
“We didn’t stick to our structures, and defensively we allowed the ball to get inside way too easy,” he said.
“We transitioned the ball well but did not capitalise on the scoreboard.
“We show glimpses of team structure, and when we work hard on defence and keep a level head, we are more than competitive.”
United committed a season-high 38 turnovers, with six players coughing up the ball on at least five occasions.
“Turnovers are a major issue,” Bannerman said.
“Looking after the ball at the back end of quarters is letting us down.”
Casidhe Green top scored with 14 points and grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds.
Vanessa Marsh finished with 11 points, seven rebounds, four steals and two assists.
Jasmine King also tallied 11 points to go with three assists and two steals.
Like the Youth League Men, Geelong United faces Wyndham Devils at Geelong Arena on Saturday night.
United sits in eighth position with a 3-6 win-loss record.
