On Sunday, our well-publicized exhibition match against the visiting Yale University Bulldogs lived up to the billing in every way. Over 650 spectators packed the stadium at the Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre – the stands and seats available were jam packed, and standing room only areas seemed to grow and grow to surround the court in large clusters.

The U14 1 Diamond Valley Eagles girls, whom all proceeds of the day went to in support of their Australian Girls Club Championships quest, were visible all day – holding the flag during the anthem and making their way around the masses with their fund raising efforts, representing the club with great professionalism.

When the team from Yale University entered the court for the first time, it was like time stopped. The Bulldogs were a slick outfit that was all business. The coaching staff were active and organizing, the players found any spare baskets and were meticulous in practicing shots and position specific actions that they get in the game. 2015 Ivy League Player of the Year, Justin Sears was down one end with a coach working on pick and roll offense. Captain Jack Montague, a 45% 3pt shooter last season, was raining down a volume of 3pt shots on court 2 and other Bulldogs players were doing shooting breakdowns of their baseline plays.

The Eagles hit the court to a roar of their own and presented like the focused and determined group we’ve known them to be this season. This was a great opportunity and great challenge.

The game tipped off and stayed tight throughout the first half, the Eagles riding on the back of a high energy performance by Brad Bridgewater who was strong in the post and competed hard with second efforts, whilst the visitors were driven by Sears who showcased his outstanding touch by having 16 points in the first 17 minutes with an array of jump hooks and mid range jump shots from various spots on the floor. Yale went into the half time break ahead, 46-39.

The second half saw both teams come out with a renewed competitiveness - the Bulldogs showed how well-conditioned they are in team concepts, always diligent in getting to the right spots when a team mate drove the ball and capitalizing on kicking the ball out to dangerous 3pt shooters who began connecting. At the other end, the Eagles had to work a bit harder for their points – dealing with a half court trap from Yale and a heightened intensity on the defensive end. Special guest Eagle, Dexter Kernich-Drew helped keep the Eagles in touch with some hot 3pt shooting, and Mitch Lee stepped up like the leader he is, and made some clutch baskets when they were needed.

Yale pulled away in the 4^th quarter, showing their class as they ended the game with a 86-68 win, on 44% shooting from the field and amassing 18 assists – both results of team work and the connection between each teammate, no matter who they subbed in and out. Sears was unstoppable, finishing with 30 points, 15 rebounds and 4 steals. Khaliq Ghani contributed 11 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists of his own.

The Eagles were very admirable in defeat – they never stopped competing. Each member of the DV roster hit the floor with a sense of belief and clearly played to win, in a game that will be looked back on as a great classroom for their development individually and as a team. The man in the middle, Brad Bridgewater ended with 11 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists, backed up by Mitch Lee’s 12 points, Dexter Kernich-Drew’s 14 points and Jamal Brown’s 11 points and 8 rebounds.

After the game, the festivities continued as the approving audience flooded the court to get autographs and take photos alongside their favourite Yale and Diamond Valley players.

The day delivered the spectacle and excitement we expected and we sincerely thank Yale University for visiting the Valley for the game, our Eagles team and special guest players, the DV committee and support staff who put on a flawless event, the U14 1 Girls for their efforts on the day and the fans from all around Melbourne that came to take in some quality Basketball.

After such a great spectacle on and off the court, we hope that this is a sign of big things to come at our club going forward.

The 'Highlight Package' of the game can be seen here : http://on.fb.me/1Nf3mcK