Round 7 is in the books and it’s time to check back in with our championship teams as we hit the middle of the season.
When we check in last with our Championship Men they had battled it out with ladder leaders Surfocasters to a tough 81-81 draw. 3 weeks later and the Men have solidified a top two spot with 3 big wins.
Taking on SG Kings in round 5, the Men jumped out to an early 30-10 lead behind the hot shooting of Max Kos who was pouring it in from 3 early on. While the Kings were able to keep pace over the following 3 quarters, the damage was done as the Men came away 23 point victors 91-68. Kos led the way with 23 while Tyler Erard and Ethan Blythe contributed well with 22 and 17 respectively.
Round 6 saw the Men line up against the Vytis Knights, the only team to best the Men during the Summer regular season. Looking for revenge the Men agan jumped out to a quick double digit lead, 24-13 to end the first quarter. It was Kos again doing most of the scoring early as he poured in 7 threes on his way to a game high 25 points. The Men were able to continue to build their lead over the following 2 frames finishing out the 3rd quarter with a comfortable 33 point lead. Erard once again backed up Kos well with 21 while former Pivot Junior Evan Juros helped himself to a 15 point game with plenty of action on the offensive glass.
This past Tuesday was a matchup with Summer season finalists Sharks, who unfortunately have faded away to start the 2024 Winter season struggling with an 0-7 record. There was no respite for the Sharks as our Men made it rain for 4 straight quarters on their way to a 55 point victory. Max Kos continued his form in this one as he looked to secure back to back league MVPs as he finished with a game high 38 including 10 of the teams 16 triples. Ethan Blythe continues to show why he is one of the best young guards in the region as well as he chipped in with a 26 point performance, including 5 threes of his own.
Currently sitting 2nd on the ladder, the Men will look to continue the hunt for a top two finish as they take on 4th placed CC Eagles in what is sure to be a thrilling game.
Checking in on our Women’s campaign, last time we saw some great signs from a team that is on the rebuild after losing some integral pieces from the 2023 season.
Round 5 saw the Women take on our rivals in YMCA. Pivot were able to jump out to an early 8 point lead at the end of the first behind the scoring of Grace Spehar, however the experience of Y saw them able to claw back the lead over the following 3 quarters to secure a 10 point win over the Pivot Women. Olivia Syres was great in this one posting a 10 point performance to back up Spehar.
Round 6 was another clash against TryBoys who handed our Women a loss in the opening round of the season. While the gap was minimised compared to round 1, the team struggled on the offensive end in the second half, with the team eventually falling by 16, 49-64. Spehar once again led the way with 18, while Miley Dawkins contributed a solid 13.
Round 7 saw the team back in winning form as they were able to pass on a loss to the Surfocasters women 67-45. A big final quarter saw the Women outscore the Coasters 17-5 to help set up the win as Grace Spehar once again showed off her offensively brilliance with 33 on the night to lead all scorers.
The women currently sit 4th on the ladder and will look to hopefully pick up another win against the ladder leading Wildcats next Tuesday.