The Under 12 E Boys needed a win against Phoenix Flames to solidify their spot in the top four and received bad news before the game with the athletic Khulan Morris withdrawing through illness.
The game was tight in the opening minutes, neither side able fashion an open shot let alone a basket. Finally, Michael Kellett stole the ball near mid court and raced away for the games opening points.
The speedy Finn Bennett answered for Phoenix before Patrick Davey gave Phoenix the lead.
From there, Ballan tightened the screws defensively as Kellett and Philip Karimi picked up a series of steals and Alex Weston - playing his first game in months - showing quick hands. When Phoenix did get a shot up, Derrick Cox was there to corral the rebound.
Offensively the Brumbies were starting to create opportunities, though were unable to finish. Hamish Stewart and Kellett missing gettable chances before Stewart finally broke the drought with a short jump shot. Thankfully for Ballan, Cox was on his game, scoring five straight points, including a free throw right on half time that gave Ballan a 9-4 lead.
Ballan's offense once again dried up in the second half, though defensively they remained tight, led again by Karimi and Kellett, the latter playing a storming game of basketball.
Phoenix started to find the target as both Davey and Rory McLeod connected, cutting the lead to a single point. Cox hit a tough driving basket to restored Ballan's three point advantage, which was quickly answered by a mid range shot from Phoenix's Jaxon Hunt.
With the game evenly poised at 11-10 with just over four minutes remaining, both teams dug in. Cox and Kellett led the way as Ballan repelled numerous Phoenix attacks, though were unable to add to their own score.
In a tight, tense affair, the Brumbies held on to their 11-10 win.
U10 Boys D (White) defeated Excies Acmy: 32-7
U10 Boys D (Blue) defeated Wildcats: 22-16
U12 Boys E defeated Phoenix Flames: 11-10
U12 Boys C defeated Celtic Tigers: 36-22
U12 Girls C lost to Saints Mercury: 17-28
U14 Boys F (White) defeated Ballan Brumbies Blue: 22-17
U14 Boys F (Blue) lost to Ballan Brumbies White: 17-22
U14 Boys B defeated Wildcats Blue: 48-26
U14 Girls C lost to Saints Mercury: 15-30
U16 Boys F lost to Saints Magic: 26-54
U16 Boys E defeated Phoenix Kings: 34-32
U16 Boys D lost to Excies Acmy: 18-40
U16 Girls C defeated Saints Mercury: 31-12
U19 Boys E defeated Phoenix Hawks 41-30
U19 Boys C lost to Phoenix Razorbacks: 30-54
U19 Girls lost to Wildcats Blue: 9-28