The Ballan Brumbies U16 Boys C played out a top-of-the-table nail biter against Sovereign Knights, who were led by long time former Brumby Jack Hollitt.
Ballan started the game on fire, Noah Pace hitting a pair of deep three pointers and Barney Batiste having his way inside as Ballan raced out to an 11-2 lead, the Brumbies passing their way into open shots. At the other end of the floor, Ballan's hard nosed defense was frustrating Knights stars Hollitt and Cooper Monteduro, the latter committing a pair of needless offensive fouls. Nonetheless Knights started to drag themselves back into the match through Hollitt's efforts on offense as he flashed his improved jump shot, whilst Monteduro bullied his way to the basket to cut the margin to three before Harrison Clark stopped the run with a tough contested layup. Ballan again asserted their authority as Pace sliced through the defense to find younger brother James for an easy bucket. Defensively, Batiste, Will Lewis and James Prosser were corralling just about every rebound that came their way, limiting the dangerous Knights to a single shot every possession. When a clearly irritated Moteduro committed his 3rd offensive foul of the half in the final minute, Knights were in trouble. They trailed Ballan 14-27 at the half. To their credit, Knights came out a different side after the break. Ballan opened the scoring through Batiste, but Knights increased defensive pressure was slowing Ballan's vaunted offense. In turn, that allowed Knights to get out and run as Hollitt, Ben Wilson and a refocused Moteduro all contributed to a 10-0 run that saw the game tighten right up. As Knights charged, Prosser made the play of the game. The only defender back on a 3-on-1 fast break, the versatile defender didn't bite on a Monteduro ball fake and rose against the much bigger player, blocking his layup attempt clean. That play visibly took the wind out of Sovereign sails. Ballan got a steadying basket when Noah Pace found Clark for a baseline jumper before Pace himself got an east two after strong defense by Lewis. Knights pushed hard in the final five minutes but strong defense from James Pace and Noah Cardona – who picked up steals on consecutive possessions – saw the Kinghts efforts thwarted. Hollitt, though, kept it close with a long three and a floater in traffic as the game hung in the balance.
Leading by two points, the Brumbies stood tall on defense, repelling one final Knights attack. Noah Pace led the counter attack, faking Hollitt out of his boots before feeding Clark for a layup on the buzzer. The Brumbies holding on for a 36-32 win in a wildly entertaining game of basketball.
Ballan Brumbies have places available for junior boys and girls as well as senior places available. For information please contact us through the 'How To Join' section at www.ballanbrumbies.com.au Under 10 Boys D lost to Excies Acmy 6-42 Under 10 Boys B lost to Celtic Tigers 14-17 Under 12 Boys E defeated Saints Mavs 26-10 Under 12 Boys C defeated Wildcats 31-20 Under 12 Girls lost to Saints Mystics 7-10 Under 14 Boys F White defeated Ballan Brumbies Blue 23-22 Under 14 Boys F Blue lost to Ballan Brumbies White 22-23 Under 14 Boys D lost to Phoenix Cannons 12-34 Under 14 Boys C defeated Phoenix Taipans 46-15 Under 14 Girls D defeated Wildcats 30-4 Under 16 Boys G White lost to Phoenix Rollers 15-20 Under 16 Boys E defeated Saints Crocs 42-21 Under 16 Boys C defeated Sovereign Knights 36-32 Under 19 Boys H lost to Drummo Dragons 33-37 Under 19 Boys E defeated Saints Pirates 49-29 Under 19 Boys D lost to Sovereign Knights 26-28 Under 19 Girls defeated Celtic Tigers 51-19
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