In 2023, Geelong United Basketball has been represented in Victorian Junior Basketball League competition by 45 teams.
This Friday night marks grand finals for 11 of our under-12, under-14, under-16 and under-18 VJL teams.
For our VC, VC Reserve and under-20 teams, it’s preliminary final time.
NB: VC and VC Reserve finals series are a top-eight format.
UNDER-20 BOYS
20B2 – VJL4 (3rd) – vs. Keilor (3) @ Eagle Stadium, 8:40pm
The 20 Twos earned another crack at Keilor in a preliminary final after using a 26-7 final-quarter burst to beat Craigieburn. Leading by just a point at three-quarter time, GU went whack in the closing period to grab a 53-33 victory. Marcus Wharton was the standout with 25 points.
UNDER-18 GIRLS
18G1 – VC Reserve (6th)
The 18 Ones didn’t die wondering in their semi-final matchup with the highly-rated Korumburra. GU held a five-point lead at halftime but was outscored 22-11 in the second half, suffering a 41-33 loss. Ella Wolfenden led the scoring for the Ones with 11 points.
UNDER-18 BOYS
18B1 – VJL1 (1st) – vs. Keilor (2) @ Eagle Stadium – Werribee, 8:40pm
Semi-final opponent Keilor stands between the 18 Ones and the VJL1 title. The Thunder outlasted Coburg in the preliminary final to earn another crack at GU in the decider. The Ones have taken out all three meetings with Keilor in 2023. Can they make it four?
18B2 – VJL4 (1st) – vs. Melbourne Tigers (3) @ Eagle Stadium – Werribee, 9:20pm
The 18 Twos overcame a third-quarter fightback from Sandringham to earn a spot in the grand final, 72-58. Leading 37-20 at halftime, GU couldn’t stop the Sabres pouring in 25 points in quarter three to cut the margin to six. However, the Twos held their nerve with a 21-13 final period. Xavier Lindsay paced the scoring with 21 points, Xavier Nelson scored 18, and Malik Davis scored 13.
18B4 – VJL 7 (2nd) – vs. Surfcoast (2) @ Geelong Arena, 7:50pm
The 18 Fours reversed the result of the qualifying final as they outscored Keilor in every period on their way to a 51-36 victory. Charlie Steel (14 points) led an even team performance in which five players scored six points or more. Grand final opponent Surfcoast won both meetings with GU during the season, including by four points in Round 13.
UNDER-16 GIRLS
16G3 – VJL6 (1st) – vs. Keilor (3) @ Eagle Stadium – Werribee, 9:30pm
Unbeaten since grading, can Chris Egan’s girls complete an almost flawless season on Friday night. The 16 Threes have won all three meetings with Keilor. However, two of those – including the second semi-final – were by just one point. This one is going to the wire.
16G4 – VJL7 (3rd)
A scoreless second quarter proved the difference for the 16 Fours, who bowed out of title contention with a 31-21 loss to Sunbury. Chloe Gilbo scored ten points for GU, who suited up just six players.
UNDER-16 BOYS
16B1 – VC Reserve (2nd) – vs. Bulleen (1) @ Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre, 8:20pm
The 16 Ones will face Bulleen for a spot in the VC Reserve grand final after the Boomers overcame Ballarat in last week’s semi-final. Sam Buckby’s boys will take a nine-game winning streak into the contest. Their last loss? To Bulleen back in Round 1 way back on June 2.
16B2 – VJL4 (2nd) – vs. Port Phillip (1) @ Eagle Stadium – Werribee, 8:10pm
After suffering a seven-point loss to Melbourne Tigers in the qualifying final, the 16 Twos turned the tables in the preliminary final in impressive fashion: a fast start and a strong finish made for solid bookends in a 66-51 result. Jacob Stefek (16 points) and Lucas De Stefano (14) led an effort where every player hit the scoreboard for GU. The regular season meetings with Port Phillip were evenly split, with the regular season champions chalking up a 24-point win in Round 13.
16B3 – VJL5 (3rd) – vs. Sunbury (3) @ Eagle Stadium – Werribee, 8:20pm
The 16 Threes were made to work by Wyndham but were good enough to secure a 47-45 result in the preliminary final. Luka Arsenijevic and Tadhg Whelan both scored 13 points for GU. Sunbury has won all three meetings during the season with GU. However, funny things happen in grand finals.
16B4 – VJL8 (4th) – vs. Diamond Valley (4) @ Eagle Stadium – Werribee, 8:30pm
From an elimination final to a grand final, the wild ride of the 16 Fours continues. Torin Wilson top scored with seven points, while Charley Bove, Oliver Rittinger and Gil Kufe each contributed six points as GU took down Melbourne Tigers 32-29. After the two teams drew in Round 2, the Fours claimed a 41-34 victory in Round 11.
16B5 – VJL9 (4th)
Overtime heartbreak for the 16 Fives. Leading by five points at three-quarter time, Sunbury outscored GU 14-9 in the final period to force an extra period, ending the Fives’ barnstorming run through the playoffs with a 46-43 victory. Jude Nielsen led the scoring with nine points.
16B7 – VJL10 (4th) – vs. Bellarine (3) @ Geelong Arena – Werribee, 8:10pm
A 22-point win over Whittlesea has the 16 Sevens entering a grand final meeting with Bellarine full of confidence. After trailing by a point at quarter time, Christ Lytas’ roster outscored the Pacers 44-21 from that point on to claim a 56-34 victory. Micah Staff stood out with 21 points, with Patrick Dunbabin (13) points providing solid support.
16B9 – VJL12 (4th)
Max Fisher scored 15 points, and Jonah Carriedo contributed eight, but the 16 Nines fell in a tough finish to the season, 38-37, to Diamond Valley. Leading by four at three-quarter time, GU couldn’t stop the Eagles from swooping with a 15-10 final-period.
UNDER-14 GIRLS
14G2 – VJL 5 (3rd)
The hurdle that was Bacchus Marsh proved too high for the 14 Twos to clear. The Lions jumped to a 17-6 lead at quarter-time, which left GU playing catchup for the remainder of the evening. Peyton Howard led the scoring with six points.
UNDER-14 BOYS
14B1 – VC Championship (6th) – vs. Dandenong (1) @ Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre, 7:00pm
After comfortably seeing off Camberwell in the opening week of the finals, the 14 Ones found Eltham a tougher nut to crack. Trailing by three points at three-quarter time after the Wildcats went on a 22-12 third-quarter blitz, Troy Parker’s team steadied to level the scores and force overtime. GU managed seven points in the extra period while keeping Eltham to just four to record a 62-59 victory. Malakai Walker starred with 21 points, with Lewis Gommers contributing 13.
14B3 – VJL4 (1st) – vs. Melbourne Tigers (2) @ Eagle Stadium – Werribee, 7:50pm
Like they did in the second semi-final, the 14 Threes will face Melbourne Tigers this week. However, this one is for all the marbles. GU has won each meeting with Tigers in 2023. However, they won’t roll over and allow the Threes to waltz away with the title.
14B4 – VJL5 (3rd) – vs. Broadmeadows (3) @ Eagle Stadium – Werribee, 7:20pm
Jason Bannerman’s team knew they’d be playing a team from Broadmeadows – it was just a matter of which one. In the end, the Broncos’ thirds had the better of their seconds in the preliminary final. The 14 Fours defeated Broadmeadows’ Threes in the second semi-final by two points. This one should go the distance, too.
14B5 – VJL9 (4th) – vs. Geelong United (8) @ Geelong Arena, 6:40pm
Jessica Hanger’s team reversed the result on the Eights in the all-GU preliminary final to earn a meeting with the Sixes in the grand final. A 15-7 opening period proved crucial in the 57-45 victory. Tom Redfern (16 points) and Rafael Fryer (10) led an even team performance.
14B6 – VJL9 (1st) – Week Off
In the grand final, the Sixes will face the Fives for the first time in just over three months. Vince Gandolfo’s team claimed both meetings with the Fives, including by 27 points in Round 10.
14B7 – VJL12 (1st) – vs. Whittlesea (5) @ Eagle Stadium, 6:40pm
The Sevens overcame a fast-finishing Craigieburn by one point, 38-37, to ensure it wasn’t a straight sets exit. Adem Aydin (nine points) and Harley Terrill (eight points) helped earn GU another meeting with Whittlesea in the decider.
14B8 – VJL9 (2nd)
After beating the Fives in the qualifying final, the Eights couldn’t make history repeat in the preliminary final. A slow start (they trailed 15-7 at quarter time) had GU behind the eight-ball for most of the night. Flynn Nicholls did all he could to keep the Eights close as he finished with a game-high 20 points.
UNDER-12 GIRLS
12G1 – VJL1 (5th)
The 12 Ones quest to make a grand final from fifth spot ended a week earlier than hoped following a 30-18 loss to Altona at Eagle Stadium. A 9-2 second quarter proved GU’s undoing. Asha Albones top scored with ten points.
12G2 – VJL4 (3rd)
The 12 Twos battled their hearts out but fell to Sunbury by seven points at Eagle Stadium, 26-19. Chelsea Simms (seven points) and Harper Lenferna (six) led the scoring.
UNDER-12 BOYS
12B1 – VC Reserve (4th) – vs. Westgate @ Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre, 7:00pm
After enjoying the week off, the 12 Ones will face Westgate for a spot in the VC Reserve grand final. If the meeting in Round 2 is anything to go by, this will be close. That night in mid-June, Marty De Lange’s young men held off the Imperials for a 55-53 victory.
