School holidays are over and Ballan Brumbies are back on the hardwood.
The Under 12 C Boys came into their match with Phoenix Falcons needing a win to stay in touch with the finals race, the boys 5th on percentage.
Despite the stakes, Ballan started terribly, Phoenix jumping out to a 6-0 lead inside just two minutes as the Brumbies looked half asleep, Murphy Nunn looking like he could have a field day for Phoenix. It took Ballan's two most experienced players to get the Brumbies rolling, Brody Grech bullocking his way to the free throw line and Lachlan Prosser - playing through injury - slicing through the Phoenix defense for an uncontested layup. Following their lead, diminutive dynamo Harry Garner started to get going, picking up consecutive steals and hitting a tough jump shot.
Ballan started to to tighten up defensively, Grech and Angus Eskdale controlling the defensive glass. That, in turn, allowed the Brumbies to get out and run, though a combination of poor finishing and some good transition defense from Phoenix prevented Ballan from running up the score.
Grech continued to cause issues for Phoenix inside, collapsing the Phoenix defense, allowing Marley Solterbeck and Prosser to hit long jumpshots to close out the half, Ballan leading 16-10.
As per the opening half, Phoenix started the stronger in the 2nd, taking the lead on a Fyfe Young running bank shot. With leading scorer Eli Rogers having an off day, it again fell to Prosser and Grech to get Ballan moving. Grech, especially, was fantastic. His aggressive drives to the basket matched by his stout defense.
Ballan's half court offense was limited by Phoenix's defense, though the Prosser to Solterbeck combination proved profitable, the former finding the latter for three 2nd half baskets. Ballan found success in the fast break, though. Eskdale started to own the defensive boards and his sterling outlet passes saw the Brumbies utilize their speed advantage.
Garner and Rogers were able to set up Grech and Prosser for easy layups as Ballan started to ease out the margin late on. One final defensive stand saw Eskdale kill Phoenix's last play, the Brumbies winning a tough contest 30-21.
U10 Boys D (White) defeated Saints Timberwolves: 9-6
U10 Boys D (Blue) defeated Excies Acmy: 16-10
U12 Boys E lost to Drummo Dragons Green: 5-26
U12 Boys C defeated Phoenix Falcons: 30-21
U12 Girls C defeated Phoenix Diamonds: 24-23
U14 Boys F (White) defeated Wildcats: 27-23
U14 Boys F (Blue) drew with Drummo Dragons Green: 12-12
U14 Boys B defeated Wildcats: 37-17
U14 Girls C lost to Drummo Dragons: 18-21
U16 Boys F lost to Drummo Dragons Black: 22-29
U16 Boys E defeated Excies Acmy: 60-11
U16 Boys D lost to Sovereign Knights: 17-32
U16 Boys B lost to Sovereign Knights: 35-37
U16 Girls C defeated Sovereign Knights: 27-21
U19 Boys C lost to Sovereign Knights: 34-53
U19 Girls lost to Drummo Dragons Black: 20-25