Year 8 Basketballers Steam Through to Loddon Mallee Competition

SCHOOL SPORT VICTORIA: SANDHURST DIVISION

YEAR 8 BASKETBALL

On Tuesday 6 August, the Catherine McAuley College Bendigo (CMCB) Year 8 basketball teams played in the Sandhurst Division competition at Red Energy Arena.

YEAR 8 GIRLS

The Year 8 girls were divided into two pools for the day, with the top team from each pool advancing to the grand final. While the team was brimming with individual talent, it was their ability to play cohesively as a unit that truly set them apart. All nine players proved to be a formidable force, with one opposing coach remarking that they were hoping for the starting five to take a break to level the playing field – only to find that the girls coming off the bench were just as tough and relentless.

The team had a highly-successful day, convincingly winning all four of their pool games

• CMCB 52 to Bendigo South East College 1
• CMCB 62 to Creek Street Christian College 4
• CMCB to Girton Grammar School 2
• CMCB 52 to Weeroona College Bendigo 2

In the finals, the girls faced Crusoe College, which was undoubtedly their toughest competition of the day. The team worked hard, applying strong defensive pressure and capitalising on their turnovers. The girls won 28 to 9, securing victory in the overall competition.

The team will now advance to the Loddon Mallee Region Finals, to be held in Bendigo on Friday 18 October.

A big thank you to Sienna Barnett (Year 8) for scoring and Owen Perry (Year 9) for refereeing on the day.

We wish the team the best of luck as they progress to the next stage of competition.

YEAR 8 GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM: Julie Fennell (Coach), Elodie Sharman, Poppy Gladstone, Mia Cox, Sophie McDermott, Lilly Teuma, Eva Grant, Sienna Barnett (Scorer), Macey Pinner, Molly Beasley, Alexis Arundell, Mia Wardell

YEAR 8 BOYS

The Year 8 Boys teams were divided into two pools for the day, with the top team from each pool to play off in the grand final. The boys demonstrated not only fantastic individual skills but also the ability to work as an effective team. They were able to mix up their starting five regularly due to the great spread of talent, allowing lots of game time for all ten players to contribute to the overall team performance.

The team advanced to the final after winning all five games in their pool comfortably:

• CMCB 49 to Eaglehawk Secondary College 17
• CMCB 43 to Girton Grammar School 9
• CMCB 35 to Weeroona College Bendigo 12
• CMCB 59 to Castlemaine Secondary College 10
• CMCB 60 to Creek Street Christian College 4

The Grand Final was played against Bendigo South East College (BSE) in what was definitely the toughest match of the day for the boys. They put up a stellar effort, persevering right to the end. The first half was all give and take, with scores level until just before half-time when they were able lock in a 2-point lead. The boys then dove straight back into the match in the second half and really took control, making sure that they used their substitutes effectively to ensure that there were fresh legs pushing through to the end of the game. In the end the boys gained a comfortable lead and were able to control the ball until the final siren; a real credit to their teamwork.

• Final score: CMCB 32 to BSE 23

Thanks to Owen Perry for refereeing on the day and to Isaiah Cass and Jaxon Kelly who not only scored but also played in a couple of games each.

It was an amazing job by the team over the course of the day, culminating in CMCB placing first overall with six wins! The team will now advance to the next stage of competition at the Loddon Mallee Region Finals.

Mr Shannan Merrett, Coach

YEAR 8 BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM: Shannan Merrett (Coach), Jake Rosa, Bentley Geary, Charlie Macumber, Archer Tuohey, Isaiah Cass, Jaxon Kelly, Eli Fennell, Patrick McNamara, Quinlan Cody, Darcy Tyler