YMCA has secured a berth in the RL Signs Geelong United Basketball Men’s Winter Championship finals after outlasting a determined Try Boys by eight points in Round 16 action at AWA Alliance Bank Stadium on Tuesday night.
Trailing by two points at three-quarter time after being held to just 13 points in the second and third periods, the efforts of young guns Bailey Bruce and Jack Terrill helped Y outscore the Bears 27-17 in the final term.
Bruce finished with 25 points, and Terrill contributed 23. Veteran Nathan Herbert’s 14 points also proved influential.
For Try Boys, who will finish the season in fifth position, Nathan Gronbeck was again a standout with 25 points.
Seb Thomason (18 points) and Nick Hough (13) kept the Bears in the contest until the closing stages.
YMCA will meet Christian College in the first week of the finals after the Eagles locked away a playoff berth with a 90-67 result against Vytis at Geelong Arena.
In one of the more even team performances seen this season, big men Liam McInerney and Jamieson Hultgren finished with 17 points, while Marc Allan-Goodwin and Nathan Freind added 16 points for the Eagles.
With Yusuf Qaafow missing for the Knights, Michael Rebula stepped up with 22 points, with Romas Liebich (16 points) and Andrew Przybylkiewicz (15) keeping the score table busy.
RL SIGNS WOMEN’S WINTER CHAMPIONSHIP – ROUND 16
Will McPherson produced a career night as South Geelong Kings had the better of Tigers in a 101-84 result at AWA.
McPherson, who was part of Geelong United’s Youth League Men’s roster in 2023, starred with 43 points, which included four three-point makes.
Tigers were again well served by Oscar Leavold (26 points) and Josh Hasell (17).
Surfcoasters recorded its fourth win of the season following a thrilling 80-79 result against Sharks at AWA.
Sharks forced a turnover with four seconds remaining but could not get a shot away in the dying stages.
Suiting up just five players, everyone scored in double figures for Surfcoasters, led by 19 from Jack Moran and 18 apiece for Kuol Reech and Clancy Whelan.
Scott McCarthy was again the standout for Sharks, as he contributed 25 points. Ben Barrett (17) was also important to Sharks’ cause.
Max Kos’ MVP-worthy season continued as Pivot City recorded its 15th consecutive win in beating Wildcats 96-59 at AWA.
Kos poured in 31 points to pass 400 for the season.
Marach Marach also impressed with 26 points and Cohen Blythe added 16.
DeMarcus Gatlin fought hard with 26 points for the understrength Wildcats, with Kale Wells also a shining light with 16 points.
Second-placed Lara Giants had the bye.
