VJBL Report - Round 3 2009

Ballarat Boys destroy Nunawading

The Ballarat Miners Under 16 boys team beat the Nunawading Spectres by 18 points in Round three of the Victorian Junior Basketball League at the WIN Minerdome on Friday night.Once again it was Sean Massey (24 points), Anthony Fisher (17) and Jack Sullivan (13) who proved the difference in a scrappy encounter. Fisher was brilliant in a great all round display.

The first half set up the win for Ballarat with Nunawading unable to find a basket at their end of the floor.Sullivan controlled the boards, as Steele Cox provided excellent intensity off the bench. Nunawading mounted a comeback late in the third quarter but it was, too little, too late as Ballarat cruised to an 18 point win, 71-53.

Also at home, the Ballarat Miners Under 18 boys were disappointing, going down in a much closer encounter to Nunawading 63-57. Ballarat started well and handled the Nunawading full court pressure by running the floor and finding some easy baskets. The second and third quarter saw the lead change many times as both teams worked hard for every shot they took.

Early in the fourth quarter Nunawading lifted to an intensity that Ballarat failed to match and this forced Ballarat into many turnovers and poor shot options. Ballarat challenged for the majority of the game but Nunawading had too much poise and disciplined team play when it mattered most.

The Under 16 Girls headed to Melbourne for their round three match and the under sized Ballarat team took a little while to settle into the game, as opposition Nunawading set the pace early, Ballarat faced an 8 point deficit at the first break. A gutsy comeback in the second quarter had Ballarat in front by 2 heading into the major break.

Ballarat again lifted in the third quarter with Emma White, Molly Mathews and Melita Reid hitting some big shots to extend Ballarats margin to 12 with one quarter remaining. Ballarat ran out of legs and were struggling to keep their lead, as the momentum swung Nunawading’s way and had them right back in the game.

Both teams tried hard in the dying minutes but nothing could separate the two and as the siren sounded a draw was recorded at 48 apiece.

The Under 14 girls also travelled to Melbourne to face Nunawading and in an outstanding team performance the Ballarat team jumped to a 10-nil lead as Imogen Wilson and Elizabeth Werry dominated at both ends of the court. The margin continued to grow and by half time Ballarat had an impressive 20 point advantage.

Ballarat took their foot off the pedal in the last quarter and almost cost themselves the game as Nunawading got within 6 points. Luckily the damage had already been done by Ballarat, recording a nine-point win 48-39.

For more details contact Sarah Monck on 5338 1220.