OK - so you've already got a star studded line up and are leading the competition with only one narrow loss ... it can't get any better than that can it ?

How about injecting young gun and future superstar Ben Simmons into the line up ?

That's a joke right ? Nope, young Ben (we said young, not small) suited up for his first appearance in Boomers colours to further bolster an already star studded lineup. And there is a bit of a back story here - you could read the June issue of Big V's Overtime magazine if you want to know more - check it out at www.bigv.com.au

But anyway, onto the basketball - here's the weekly wrap ...

 

State Youth Championship Men

After some reasonable ordinary performances the last few weeks, the boys rediscovered their mojo with avengance, chalking up two huge wins for the weekend to get right back on track.

On Saturday night, the boys took on the Nunawading Spectres in a bit of a local grudge match. The Boomers shot out of the blocks to lead early, but then lost their way a bit as the Spectres worked back into the game to level the scores. But in the second half, the boys steadied and put together some great team basketball to ease out to a lead and then run away for a comfortable 78 - 61 victory.

Will Hoole was huge with 17 points and 14 monster boards ... ahem, except perhaps some free throw practice Will ... while Nat So (14 points), Jordy Little (12 points) and Kyle Sawyer (11 points) provided the support - but a great all round team effort.

The boys then had to backup in an away game against the Ringwood Hawks on Sunday - and this one was a cracker.

The Boomers started well but then the Hawks hit their straps in the second period to grab the lead. In the second half, the boys fought back into it to level the scores at the final change. The last quarter was basket for basket nail biting stuff.

The scores were locked away with 90 seconds to play until a massive Jimmy Weston trey put the Boomers ahead. The Hawks closed the gap to one from the line but had to foul again to put Weston on the line with 13 seconds on the clock. Jimmy got the wobbles and missed them both, with the Hawks rushing the ball down the floor and managing two shots in the last 7 frantic seconds, but neither dropped giving the Boomers a 73 - 72 win.

Young guard Phil Renteria had his best game of the season to lead the scoring with 13 points, while Kyle Sawyer was strong with 12 points and 10 boards. Will Hoole backed up with another great game of 11 points with 9 boards.

A great weekend for the boys, they just have to keep this form rolling.

State Championship Men

As already mentioned, Ben Simmons suited up for his first game in Boomers colours with our already formidable Champ Men's teams - we're not sure if word had already leaked out, but there was a big crowd in the house to watch the Boomers take on the Eltham Wildcats.

In the first quarter it looked like a bit of a training drill as the Boomers starting five shot out of the gates to dominate the visitors, with Adrien Sturt pouring in 16 first quarter points. Ben Simmons hit the court late in the term and was soon on the scoresheet with a sort range floater.

With a huge lead, the boys seemed just to ease off the pressure and think the game was won, which let Eltham find their range and come storming back into the game. The scores were back to level, until late in the second a but Sturt trey eased the lead back out to 41 - 35 at half time.

The Boomers upped the ante again after half time, with Standerfer starting to find room and a couple of monster jams from Ben Simmons having the home crowd on it's feet. Mind you the one that smashed off the back of the ring with the ball ending up in the bleachers was pretty entertaining as well.

With the game under control, Coach Bowers emptied the bench as the Boomers eased down to a comfortable 97 - 71 win as the Wildcats ran out of gas. Adrien Sturt led the way with 24 points, with Standerfer (19 points) and Rose (18 points) providing the support. Ben Simmons eased in with 11 points and 3 big blocks.

It just rolls on for the men's team, there will be a few tough games ahead but the firepower is awesome - all basketball fans should be getting out and seeing this team play over the next couple of months.

State Youth Championship Women

Our Youth Girls had a long trip to Ballarat to take on the Rush. The girls were competitive for the first half, with scores tight at half time. The girls were playing good basketball and forcing Ballarat into a number of turnovers that gave further scoring opportunities.

In the third quarter the girls just fell in a hole, managing a woeful 2 from 16 field goals for the period. The defensive pressure did not really pick up, as turnovers were still ok, but the Boomers just could not find a way to find the basket. The girls picked it up in the final period, but it was all too late as they went down 59 - 68.

Ellie Locke was strong with 19 points and Gemma Fyffe chipped in with 15 points and Amelia Smith 14 points. Gemma and Amelia also reeled in a huge 16 boards each.

And that seems to be the problem - outside the top three, there was not a lot else on offer. The girls will need to find a broader spread of contributors to get back onto the winners list.

State Championship Women

And finally, our Champ Women had a winnable game against local rival the Eltham Wildcats, albeit an away game.

Eltham started well, building an early lead and it looked again like the girls might be out of it. But the Boomers fought hard in the third quarter to close the gap to 5 points and it looked like just one more strong quarter might snatch the win.

But as had been the case recently, just one bad quarter scuttles the game, and it happened again in the last ... the Boomers fell in a hole and Eltham's confidence lifted to run away with an easy 89 - 67 win.

Lauren Pearce battled away for 13 points Ella Burton managed 12 points. Funda, Em Simons and Brodie Theodore all chipped in with 10 points.

Overall team contribution is not the problem for our Champ Women, it's just the lack of consistency across a whole game that must be frustrating Coach Dee Butler. The girls play well for three quarters, but always find one part of the game to throw it away.

It just seems to be a time to keep working at it girls, hard work at training will always pay off sooner or later.