Big V Basketball: Bulleen, Sunbury and Wyndham chase championship glory

Three clubs are set to battle it out for the Big V Championship Men’s and Women’s titles starting this weekend. Here’s the key players, x-factors and what the coaches said.

The most important games of the Big V Basketball season are finally here.

The grand final series.

Wyndham has strong representation in 2022 with its men’s and women’s teams set to compete in the Championship series.

Sunbury will take on Wyndham in the men while Bulleen will be aiming for women’s success.

Check out our previews of both series below.

MEN

The two best teams all year are set to face off in an enthralling battle.

Sunbury will enter the Championship Men grand final as favourites having finished on top of the ladder while Wyndham finished narrowly behind them.

The Jets hold the advantage in the three previous meetings this season two to one.

A Sunbury victory would see the Jets follow on from their success of the 2019 Division 1 Men’s title while Wyndham is chasing its first success since 2003 when it was known as Werribee.

What the coaches said

Sunbury, John White: “We set the goal of a championship for ourselves at the start of the season when we put together a high quality roster but the season starts again now. Our starting five is going to be key during this series because they’ve done a fantastic job of setting up games for us this season. But we’ve got the depth as well to throw different line-ups at opposition teams depending on the situation.

“I”ve been very happy with the way we’ve been able to defend this season and that’s going to be critical in this series. Wyndham has a really high volume offence and we need to try and limit their possessions. Nullifying their imports, Green and Howard, will go a long way to helping us win the series. We won’t be changing too much of what’s worked this season.”

Nathan Miller won plenty of praise from the opposition coach. Photo: Basketball Victoria.

Wyndham, Lucas Allen: “It feels like business as usual for our group. All season it looked like Sunbury and ourselves would be right in the mix at this stage of the season. We’re still going to approach the series game-by-game and not look too far ahead.

“They’re a really tough team. Their veteran minds and experience means they’re tough to beat in close games. They’ve got two guards who score at will and two bigs who guard the paint extremely well. The there’s Nathan Marshall who I describe as the ultimate glue guy.

“We’ve got youth on our side and this group has learnt a lot along the way. It’s going to be a really good challenge.”

Key players

Maurice Howard, Wyndham

Has been brilliant in his maiden season as an import for Wyndham with a team-high 25.13ppg. But he’s also done a bit of everything. Sunbury will be desperate to stop him.

Ish Sanders, Sunbury

An easy choice as the key to Sunbury’s hopes. Sanders was the third highest scoring player in the league for the season and will be desperate to bring a championship home for the Jets. Really crafty with the ball in his hands.

Maurice Howard will be an important player for Wyndham. Photo: Basketball Victoria.

The X-factors

Adetomi Ayilara, Wyndham

A real strong defensive presence for Wyndham who can get the job done at both ends. His efficient shooting from deep could be crucial.

Nathan Marshall, Sunbury

Won the praise of the opposition coach in the lead-up to the game and it’s easy to understand why. Marshall’s team first attitude makes him someone you want on your side.

WOMEN

Clearly the best two teams in the Championship Women’s division for 2022 will face off this weekend.

Bulleen will be looking to make up for lost time after it sat top of the ladder when Covid brought an early end to the 2021 season.

Meanwhile, Wyndham is looking to make it back-to-back titles after taking home the 2019 crown.

Bulleen has never won a title in the top division.

What the coaches said

Bulleen, Michael Brookens: “It’s good to finally be here, the girls are really looking forward to the challenge. I think we’re peaking at the right moment which is what you want as a coach. During the season we had girls in and out of the team at different times which made it hard to get the right flow. Now everyone has learnt their roles and knows what we expect from them.

“Wyndham has a team of exceptional perimeter shooters, we need to make sure we’re contesting long shots. Starting at home does help because the home crowd got us back into the game against Sunbury in the semi-finals. Hopefully our supporters are out in force again.”

Bulleen finished second on the ladder. Photo: Gary Fevreau/Basketball Victoria.

Wyndham, Billy Akalo: “There’s lots of excitement around the place at the moment and we’re looking to make a massive statement. We’ve played a fast style all year which has helped with our youth and experience. We’ve got a deep group so we can push the pace for an entire game and there’s been times where opposition teams can’t keep up with us.

“Bulleen match up really well with us. Bontempelli and Tomlinson are their keys we need to find the right match up to limit their influence. It’s all about us focusing on the process no matter the result of the first game. That’s what we’ve been about all season and it doesn’t change now.”

Key players

Olivia Bontempelli, Bulleen

A standout performer all season for the Boomers to lead the way with 17.29 points per game. But Bontempelli’s game is built around so much more than that given her ability to impact at both ends of the floor.

Amanda Paschal, Wyndham

Paschal is Wyndham’s creator and if things start clicking on offence there’s no doubt she’ll be behind it. Also is her team’s best defender.

Wyndham women's import Amanda Paschal. Photo: Basketball Victoria.

The X-factors

Kayla Vitale, Bulleen

If the Boomers need a spark off the bench throughout the series, they’ll definitely look to Vitale. She has made the most threes of any Bulleen player this season and could turn a game if she gets hot.

Lyndsey Hoogenhout, Wyndham

A player who does a bit of everything for her side and should have a big impact on just way this series goes. Her defensive presence will be a key.