Re-live the action from Victorian U18 Country Championships Day 2
The champions have been crowned in a thrilling climax to the 2021 Victorian Under-18 Basketball Country Championships in Bendigo. Watch replays of Sunday’s games here.
Bendigo
Don't miss out on the headlines from Bendigo. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The 2021 Victorian Under-18 Basketball Country Championships have wrapped up after a thrilling day of finals.
Geelong United and Ballarat are celebrating Division 1 titles in the Boys and Girls sections respectively.
Meanwhile, Wonthaggi and Bendigo secured the Division 2 Boys and Girls crowns.
RE-LIVE ALL THE LIVESTREAM ACTION IN THE REPLAYS BELOW
For the first time, heraldsun.com.au broadcasted select games across Saturday and Sunday of the country championship in Bendigo.
You can re-live the action from Saturday’s games here and watch replays of Sunday’s finals below.
COMPLETED MATCHES
ROUND OF 16
Division 2: Wonthaggi Coasters Boys defeat Mildura Heat Boys
Wonthaggi survived a determined Mildura comeback by two points to progress to the Under-18 Country Championships Division 2 quarter finals.
The Coasters lead was in double digits earlier in the match but the Heats roared back into the contest, levelling the scores mid way through the final term.
However, Mildura will be left to rue a horror turnover with seven seconds left, losing an opportunity to take the lead.
With the Heat in foul trouble, Wonthaggi iced the game from the free throw line, winning 33-31.
Heat guard Archer Hammond scored a game-high 14 points, including a critical three-pointer that brought his team within a point in the dying stages.
Archer Reid and Lachlan Smith both scored seven points to pace the Coasters.
Wonthaggi will face Hamilton in the Division 2 quarter finals.
QUARTER FINALS
Division 1: Shepparton Gators Girls defeat Macedon Ranges Girls
A first-quarter scoring blitz has secured Shepparton a spot in the Under-18 Country Championships Girls Division 1 semi-finals.
The Gators poured in 19 points to six against Macedon Ranges to establish a comfortable lead before going on to claim a 13-point quarter final victory, 47-34.
Ranges staged a mini fourth quarter comeback, cutting the deficit to nine points at one stage and winning the term, but the damage was done.
Shepparton increased its lead in the second quarter, holding an 18-point margin at half-time and 17-point buffer at the final change.
It’s a huge improvement on the Gators’ 2020 campaign, where they were knocked out in the Division 2 quarter finals.
Shepparton forward Hannah Onley scored a game-high 18 points in the win, while teammates Jordyn Commadeur (13 points) and Isabel Whitelaw (11 points) also reached double figures.
The Gators will face No.1 seed Ballarat Rush in the semi finals.
Erin Condron was Macedon‘s best scorer with 14 points.
Division 2: Wallan Panthers Boys defeat Echuca Pirates Boys
Wallan’s return to the Under-18 Basketball Country Championships has seen the team reach the Boys Division 2 semi final.
The Panthers have a shot at a grand final appearance after disposing of Echuca by 10 points in the quarter finals, 47-37.
After a tight opening, Wallan surged ahead in the second and third quarters, building a 15-point lead by three-quarter-time.
The Pirates cut the deficit to eight in the final period but weren‘t able to threaten in the final minutes.
Panthers’ dynamic guard William O’Dwyer-Richards scored an equal game-high 14 points in the win to continue his fine tournament.
Elijah Bruns also posted 14 points for Echuca.
Wallan will now face Southern Peninsula Sharks in the Division 2 semi final this afternoon.
SEMI FINALS
Division 1: Mildura Heat Girls defeat Seymour Blasters Girls
Mildura are back in the Under-18 Country Championships Girls Division 1 grand final.
The Heat proved too good for Seymour in their semi final clash in Bendigo, claiming a nine-point win and earn a shot at redemption, 40-31.
Mildura lost last year’s decider to Bendigo and will face No.1 seed Ballarat for the crown this afternoon.
After only reaching the Division 2 quarter finals last year, Seymour showed significant improvement in reaching the later stages of the Division 1 title race.
The Blasters started brilliantly and held a three-point lead at half-time but their scoring touch deserted them after the break.
Seymour added just two points in the all-important third quarter while Mildura poured in 21 to take a seven-point advantage.
Mildura star Brianna Behsmann was the game‘s top scorer with 12 points, equal with Seymour’s Hayleigh Frost.
Division 2: Wonthaggi Coasters Boys defeat Ballarat Miners Boys
Underdogs Wonthaggi are through to the Under-18 Country Championships Division 2 Boys grand final after an epic six-point win over Ballarat.
The Coasters were seeded No.32, third lowest, coming into the tournament but far exceeded expectations to earn a shot at the Division 2 title when they face Wallan this afternoon.
The Miners were ranked 10th and considered a title contender but won just one pool game and crashed out 40 to 34 in the consolation semi final.
Wonthaggi started brightly taking a two-point lead into quarter time and took their game to another level in the second term, outscoring Ballarat 13-7 to establish an eight-point lead.
However, the Miners rallied in the third quarter and cut the deficit to a single point at three-quarter-time.
The teams traded blows in a thrilling final term but the Coasters held their nerve in the dying minutes to close it out.
Wonthaggi guard Harrison Scott impressed in the win, scoring a game-high 19 points in the victory.
Ballarat young gun Lucas Impey led his team with 17 points.
GRAND FINALS
Division 1: Geelong United Boys defeat Wangaratta Warriors Boys
Geelong United are Victorian Under-18 Country Championships premiers after an epic five-point win over Wangaratta.
In a see-sawing battle that saw several lead changes in the final quarter, it was United who held their nerve in the dying stages to claim victory, 47-42.
It is the team’s first Boys Under-18 Championships title after a merger between Geelong Supercats and Corio Bay Stingrays.
After giving up big leads in both the quarter final and semi final and again coming from behind in the decider, Geelong coach Dan Coles said the win showcased his team‘s mental strength.
“I think they’re trying to put me in an early grave, he said.
“It just shows the boys’ fighting spirit and it’s been different guys getting the job done every time, which shows the depth we’ve got.”
United started the game strongly taking an early 6-0 lead as Wangaratta struggled to find its rhythm on the big stage.
However, the Warriors were soon back in the game and a Brodie Paul three-pointer gave them the lead for the first time in the match early in the second quarter.
Geelong again pushed out to an eight-point lead only to see it evaporate under a barrage of Wangaratta three-pointers.
With under two minutes on the clock scores were level until Geelong’s Leo Burgess hit a clutch three-pointer and a skipper Jet Kneebone steal and lay-up iced the game.
Coles praised Kneebone‘s leadership and his team’s ability to rally under pressure.
“Jet’s one of the best point guards in Victoria, he sets us up and keeps up cool, he’s our captain,” Coles said.
“Leo Burgess was amazing in defence and is one of our unheralded players, Ollie (Northam) was amazing on both ends crashing the boards and our bench help was critical all weekend.”
Northam finished with a game-high 16 points for United, while teammate Joe Pike added 13.
Tyler Barker was Wangaratta’s best with 14 points and Paul scored 12.
Meanwhile, in the Girls Division 1 grand final, Ballarat has claimed the Country Championships title with a commanding 22-point win over Mildura.
The Rush came into the tournament as the top ranked team and lived up to the billing in the 55-34 demolition.
It‘s the Heat’s second straight Girls Division 1 grand final loss.
Georgia Cox (12 points) and Jemma Amoore (11) led the way for Ballarat, while Brianna Behsmann collected 12 points for Mildura.
Division 2: Bendigo Girls defeat Bellarine Girls
Bendigo has thrilled its hometown fans, claiming the Under-18 Basketball Country Championships Division 2 Girls title.
In a thrilling finale, the Braves held off Bellarine by five points, triumphing 46-41.
After winning the Division 1 title last year, a youthful Bendigo side wasn’t able to defend its crown but walk away with a confidence-boosting consolation prize.
Braves coach Joe Hurst was bursting with pride after the match.
“These girls are punching well beyond their weight,” he said.
“People were doubting their ability and each one of them found something this weekend.”
In a tight opening half the lead swapped hands in numerous occasions.
Bendigo held a three-point advantage after the first quarter while Bellarine took a three-point advantage into half-time.
It was another three-point margin at the final change with Bendigo retaking the momentum and led by star guard Caitlin Richardson’s match-high 26 points the Braves took control when it mattered.
Hurst said it was a major step forward for his team.
“You have no idea. We’ve been pushing these girls to realise they can compete at the level,” he said.
“We’re excited and proud of their performances.”
Meanwhile, in the Boys Division 2 grand final, Wonthaggi leaves Bendigo with the consolation title.
The Coaster proved too good for Wallan in the decider, claiming a three-point win in a low-scoring affair, 29 to 26.
Surprisingly, no Wonthaggi players reached double figures with Harrison Scott’s eight points the best, while Ryan Philippe finished with 13 for the Panthers.
LIVESTREAM: RE-LIVE ALL THE ACTION FROM SATURDAY’S GAMES
TALENTS: THE VIC U18 COUNTRY CHAMPS PLAYERS TO WATCH
Bendigo sale and auction results, week ending October 20
There were 32 properties sold in Bendigo last week, with 112 new listings in the region. See the latest auction and sales results.
The List begins: We count down Bendigo’s most powerful people
From industry leaders to community stalwarts, we’ve ranked Bendigo’s most powerful people. Who will be number one? Today we reveal numbers 50 to 31.