A season-ending injury to captain Seth Garcia has taken the gloss off the Navexa Geelong United men taking another step towards qualifying for the Big V Youth League 1 finals by splitting its penultimate round home-road double.
After seeing off a late surge to defeat second-placed Hume City, 98-95, at Geelong Arena on Saturday afternoon, United couldn’t close out its clash with Wyndham (1st, 17-4) at Eagle Stadium on Sunday.
The Devils came from six points down early in the last quarter to win 95-91, leaving Geelong United needing to beat Sherbrooke (3rd 14-6) in the final game of the regular season next Sunday.
“Sherbrooke next weekend is a must-win now, but I’m really proud of the entire roster’s efforts over the two games,” coach Luke Beard said.
Bailey Bruce produced an impressive weekend, starting with 26 points against the Broncos and finishing with 27 at Wyndham.
Marach Marach had 24 points, ten rebounds, seven assists and two steals in the victory over Hume City before contributing 16 points, eight rebounds, three steals and two assists against the Devils.
Jack Terrill fell just short of a triple-double against the Broncos with 15 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists.
“The Hume game showed great character to wrestle back the momentum in the second quarter and chip away at their lead,” Beard said.
“In the second half, we played our brand of basketball, fast, attacking and physical.
“It was great to see the players hold their nerve down the stretch, and ‘JT’ (Terrill) knock down a pair of free throws to seal the win.”
Against Wyndham, Jack Moran and Max Zalakos both contributed 14 points.
“We had the better of Wyndham all game and worked really hard as fatigue kicked in and rotations were limited to stay in the game,” Beard said.
“We had our opportunities down the stretch, with two great three-point looks, two missed free-throws and a final play opportunity.
“I’m super confident that we will get the job done if we get the opportunity in the post season.”
Meanwhile, at halftime at Eagle Stadium on Sunday, the Naxvexa Geelong United Women had put themselves in position for a stunning upset of Wyndham (3rd, 15-6).
Despite just six players suiting up at Eagle Stadium, United produced one of their most consistent halves of basketball to lead 43-42.
However, the weight of numbers proved telling, with the Devils, who rotated 12 players, taking the game away from Geelong United with a 33-8 third quarter.
United fought hard in the final period, outscoring the home team 20-14, to fall 89-71.
14-year-old Miley Dawkins showed why she’s a star of the future by pouring in 24 on 58 per cent shooting (7-12) from the field and 90 per cent from the free-throw line (9-10).
Big Kayla Blazko battled hard for 17-point, 11-rebound double-double, while Jasmine King (12 points, 4 assists) and captain Vaness Marsh (nine points, ten rebounds, three assists) also ensured a tough hitout for Wyndham.
Geelong United rounds out its season with a home match-up against Warrandyte (12th, 2-19)
