Date: Fri, Feb 26, 2010
Ballarat Dominates U/18 Championships
The Ballarat Representative Squad’s under 18 men’s and women’s teams have dominated the 2010 Victorian Country Championships, taking out both titles at the weekend. Both teams travelled to Bendigo to take on Country Victoria’s finest basketball teams and both teams managed to work their way through the tournament undefeated.
The Men’s side managed three big wins in their Pool games on Saturday taking out Portland by 26 points, Traralgon by 62 points and Wangaratta by 45 points. These results set up a favourable finals draw for Ballarat.
The quarter final saw Ballarat taking on long time rival Geelong on court 1. Ballarat’s characteristic fast paced running game and strong attack on the basket helped them take the lead in the first quarter. The natural leadership once again stood out in Constable, Grover, Fisher and Fryar.
In the second quarter Geelong was able to utilise their size advantage as Ballarat’s defence started to tire. Strong defence from Josh Mallet and James McMaster helped Ballarat contain Geelong’s power inside.
As the final quarter got underway Ballarat’s fast paced start to the game started to pay off as Geelong’s key players fouled out of the game. Ballarat were then able to capitalise on this and win the game by four points.
In the semi-finals the boy’s took on Westernport after only an hour to recover from the quarter final. However this did not seem to affect the team as the bench players stepped up and gave some much needed energy. Ballarat taking the victory with the final score reading 75 to 54.
In the grand-final it was Ballarat taking on Shepparton. After a very long and tiring weekend both teams were unable to show the energy that would be expected in the play-off. Shepparton were able to take control first gaining a six point lead at the quarter time break.
The second and third quarters were a defensive stand off with both sides putting a stop to one another’s scoring avenues. However Ballarat’s fitness gave them the edge managing to produce some final fast break baskets. The final score was Ballarat 39 defeating Shepparton 34.
Men’s Coach Daniel Sutton said that he “was extremely proud of how the team worked to perfect their offensive sets and team rules in the pool games. Every player brought something to the team”.
Ballarat were as equally strong in the women’s competition producing some big winning margins in their pool games where they defeated Wodonga by 32, Warragul by 26 and Colac by 47. As was the story with the men’s side, this set up a favourable finals roster.
In the Quarter-Final Ballarat took on Portland in what turned out to be a one sided affair. Ballarat took charge from the start making the most of their scoring opportunities. Once in control Ballarat never looked back running away with a twenty-five point win.
The grand-final produced a much different story with Ballarat taking on a very strong side from Mildura. Throughout the game both teams traded baskets and kept the scores within reach. Mildura were able to take the lead several times but Ballarat didn’t give in. Despite having thirty-two team fouls called against them and several key players in foul trouble early, Ballarat were able to edge in front as the clocked ran down. Some great transition offense and strong defence throughout the game let Ballarat take the championship by a slender two points.
Participation Manager Glenn White said “that it was a tremendous effort by both teams, especially the girls who have been unsuccessful in previous years”.
Ballarat now hold a total of twenty Victorian Country Championship titles in the Under 18 age group.
