In 2023, Geelong United Basketball has been represented in Victorian Junior Basketball League competition by 45 teams.
Last Friday night marked grand finals for 11 of our under-12, under-14, under-16 and under-18 VJL teams.
For two VC Reserve teams, it’s grand final night.
UNDER-20 BOYS
20B2 – VJL4 (3rd)
The nut that was Keilor proved too hard for the 20 Twos to crack. Having lost to the Thunder in the qualifying final, GU earned another crack at Keilor in the preliminary final. The 20s stormed to a 20-6 quarter-time lead and held a 12-point advantage at three-quarter time. However, the Thunder had all the momentum in the final period, outscoring GU 26-11. Marcus Wharton led an even team performance with 11 points.
UNDER-18 BOYS
18B1 – VJL1 (1st) – Premiers
The Dave McCormick-coached 18 Ones have capped an impressive season by outlasting Keilor (2) 54-48 in the grand final at Eagle Stadium. A 16-7 first quarter proved crucial to the final result. William Ilsley led GU’s scoring with 14 points, Ethan Hearn contributed 11, and Alistair Smaniotto finished with 10.
18B2 – VJL4 (1st) – Premiers
A 23-7 second quarter has proved the difference as the Deanne Burrows-led 18 Twos reversed the result of the second semi-final to defeat Melbourne Tigers (3) 64-49. Xavier Lindsay again stood out for GU as he poured in a game-high 18 points. Kye Kelly was next best with 11 points, with Luka Gerber contributing 10.
18B4 – VJL 7 (2nd) – Runner-up
A second-half fadeout proved costly for the Ben Barnard-coached 18 Fours, who suffered a 52-30 grand final loss to Surf Coast (2). Trailing by 24-18 at halftime, GU’s hopes of getting back into the contest were dashed by a 14-6 third quarter. Kyan Pullen’s 10 points were best for the Fours.
UNDER-16 GIRLS
16G3 – VJL6 (1st) – Runner-up
Not surprisingly, it was close. However, the 16 Threes were on the wrong side of the scoreboard this time. After beating Keilor (3) in the second semi-final by one point, GU held a one-point lead at three-quarter time of the grand final. But, the Thunder finished the better, outscoring the Threes 14-8 to claim a 34-29 victory. Georgia Egan (seven points), Maya Carlon (five) and Madeleine Cotter (five) did all they could to get GU over the line.
UNDER-16 BOYS
16B1 – VC Reserve (2nd) – vs. Keilor (2) @ Keilor Stadium, 8:40pm
Hugh Buckby’s 29 points have spearheaded the 16 Ones to the VC Reserve grand final after overcoming Bulleen (1) in the preliminary final 79-68. A 21-12 second quarter was crucial to Sam Buckby’s squad advancing to the decider and a meeting with qualifying final opponent Keilor (2). Mason Osborne (21 points) and Philip Wickham (17) were important offensive contributors.
16B2 – VJL4 (2nd) – Premiers
The 16 Twos have produced an impressive second-half revival to take the VJL4 title off Port Phillip (1). Trailing by 11 points at halftime, GU cut that margin to two at three-quarter time thanks to a 14-5 third period. Another standout defensive performance kept Port Phillip to four points in the final period, allowing the Twos to snatch a 48-45 victory. Eight of Chad Suphamongkol’s roster scored at least five points in the most even team performances.
16B3 – VJL5 (3rd) – Runner-up
Done for all money at halftime, the 16 Threes produced a stirring second-half comeback that fell just short of snatching the VJL5 title off Sunburyt. Trailing 32-17 at the main break, GU cut the margin to six by three-quarter time with a 15-6 third period. However, the Jets steadied to claim a 51-47 victory. LukaΒ Arsenijevic led the Threes scoring with ten points, with Harrison Lamb and Tadhg Whelan adding nine apiece.
16B4 – VJL8 (4th) – Runner-up
After sweeping all before them with three knockout final wins, the 16 Fours were on track for an unlikely premiership when they led 21-14 at halftime. However, GU couldn’t go the distance with Diamond Valley (4), which outscored the Fours 28-17 in the second half to claim a 42-38 victory. Nine points from Gil Kufe and Jack McDonald were best for GU.
16B7 – VJL10 (4th) – Premier
From an elimination final to a grand final, the 16 Sevens have pulled off what was unthinkable a month ago. Chris Lytas’ team produced another solid defensive effort to beat Bellarine (3) 43-35. The Sevens held the Storm to single figures in the first three quarters to hold a five-point lead. The game opened up in the final period, with GU outscoring Bellarine 19-16. Johnson Chol led the way with 13 points.
UNDER-14 BOYS
14B1 – VC Championship (6th)Β
The 14 Ones will have to settle for a creditable final-four finish in VC Championship after a gallant 85-77 loss to powerhouse Dandenong in a preliminary final. Troy Park’s team gave themselves every chance of causing an upset when they led 43-42 at halftime. However, the Rangers took control of the contest with a 22-10 third period. Gold Nugget Camp-bound duo Malakai Walker (32 points) and Lewis Gommers (20 points) did all they could to carry the Ones to victory.
14B3 – VJL4 (1st) – Premiers
There is winning grand finals, and then there’s winning grand finals. The Shaun Sleep-led Threes were unstoppable after quarter time in handing Melbourne Tigers (2) a 63-26 hiding to claim the VJL4 title. After a tight opening period, after which GU held a 14-12 lead, they then outscored Tigers 49-14 for the remainder of the contest. Oscar Hoey stood out with 20 points, with Daniel Rezaei Mahalati (11 points) providing solid support.
14B4 – VJL5 (3rd) – Runner-up
After consecutive two-point finals wins, the 14 Fours were on the wrong side of another close one, falling to Broadmeadows (3) 36-32. Leading 16-9 at halftime, GU was well-placed to take the title. However, the Broncos had other ideas, outscoring Jason Bannerman’s team 15-7 in the third period and 12-9 in the last. Mikaere Willaims (eight points), Bailey Hamence (seven) and Marly Bannerman (seven) led the scoring for the Fours.
14B5 – VJL9 (4th) – Runner-up
The 14 Fives fell short of the Sixes in an old-fashioned arm wrestle at Geelong Arena. Leading by a point at three-quarter time, Jessica Hanger’s team was outscored by the Sixes 14-10 to suffer a 42-39 loss. Tom Redfern’s ten points were best for the Fives, with Jaxon Braddock adding nine.
14B6 – VJL9 (1st) – Premiers
A Geelong United team was guaranteed to win the VJL9 title, and based on the score, it’s disappointing that there had to be a loser. However, the Vince Gandolfo-led Sixes used a 14-10 final period to salute 42-39 over the Fives. Harry Skinner was the game’s leading scorer with 15 points. Findlay Kendall was also crucial with 11 points.
14B7 – VJL12 (1st) – Runner-up
The Sevens did all they could to claim the VJL12 title but eventually fell to second semi-final conqueror Whittlesea, 43-33. The Pacers held a three-point lead with one period to play before outscoring GU 18-11 in the last. James Condro’s ten points were best for the Sevens, with Byron Henry next best on seven.
UNDER-12 BOYS
12B1 – VC Reserve (4th) – vs. Waverley (1) @ Keilor Stadium, 7:00pm
It’s off to the VC Reserve grand final for Marty De Lange’s young men after using a 20-8 second quarter as the catalyst to defeat Westgate 73-64 in the preliminary final. After trailing 22-18 at quarter time, the 12 Ones led 38-30 at halftime and never looked back. Henry Wilson was outstanding with 27 points, while Jude Ellis contributed 13 points. GU won the meeting with Waverley in Round 5, 57-46.
