Ballan Brumbies took on Excies Acmy in a top of the table Under 14 Boys F clash, Ballan looking to inflict just the 2nd defeat on Excies this season.
Both teams got off to slow stars, able to get good looks at the hoop but unable to convert. Eventually Tom Hooper opened the scoring for Excies before Kris Seketa answered with a driving layup for Ballan.
The game was riddled with fouls early on, Ballan centre Cambrai Hodge getting into early foul trouble after picking his 3rd personal, teammates Noah Ranieri and Foster Trinder picking up a pair each.
Max Dalton was proving a tough mark for the Brumbies defense, continually getting to the hoop, taking advantage of Hodge's foul issues. The Brumbies, though, were able to stay in touch through a pair of tough baskets to Ranieri and Hodge.
Theo Vanderklay scored late on in the half for Excies before a buzzer beater from Trinder tied the game at 13 at the half.
After half time the ladder leading Excies started to exert their authority through Hooper and the impressive Leo Shackell, pushing the lead out to six points. Excies lead was extended further when Trinder hit an open layup...at the wrong end of the court!
As Hodge picked up his 4th foul Ballan coach Oscar Marion implored his troops to tighten up defensively, which they did through Seketa and Trinder with Nathan Stanley picking up some timely steals as well.
Ballan started to ease their way back into the match through a Trinder jumpshot and a layup to Brody Grech when Hodge picked up his final foul, taking out Ballan's best rebounder. Whilst that left the Brumbies undersized it did allow them to ramp up the pressure further without Hodge having to protect his fouls.
Ballan started to get out on the break to utilize their speed advantage, Zack Harrison and then Seketa scoring to tie things up.
Max Dalton scored for Excies, followed by a free throw by Shackell, giving Excies a three point lead with a minute to play.
Ballan cut the lead to one as Trinder burst out of a pack to connect on the break before Shackell was fouled with just 10 seconds remaining. The Excies guard failed to hit either free throw, giving Ballan a lifeline.
Grech did enough secure the ball for Ballan, feeding Seketa who moved the ball to Trinder. The speedy Brumbies guard raced past the opposition to lay the ball in with just three seconds remaining, giving Ballan a most dramatic 29-28 win.
U10 Boys D (White) lost to Wildcats Gold: 11-19
U10 Boys D (Blue) lost to Phoenix Bullets: 20-28
U12 Boys C defeated Excies Acmy Maroon: 33-31
U12 Girls C defeated Wildcats: 13-4
U14 Boys F (White) defeated Excies Acmy: 29-28
U14 Boys F (Blue) lost to Wildcats: 14-34
U14 Boys B defeated Phoenix Taipans: 36-28
U14 Girls C defeated Phoenix Rubys: 38-12
U16 Boys E defeated Saints Mavs: 33-22
U16 Boys D defeated Celtic Tigers: 38-22
U16 Boys B lost to Excies Acmy: 26-41
U16 Girls C lost to Drummo Dragons: 22-26
U19 Boys E defeated Saints Pistons: 51-24
U19 Boys C lost to Saints Thunder: 36-71
U19 Girls defeated Phoenix Rubys: 23-17