Big V Basketball: Wild and wacky finishes, the stars in MVP contention

From the early end to one game to more championship contenders emerging, there were plenty of talking points in Big V Basketball at the weekend. Here’s everything you need to know.

Big V Basketball had another action action packed weekend.

From the wild weather meaning an early end to one game to more championship contenders emerging, there were plenty of talking points.

Here’s everything you need to know.

HAIL STORM ENDS WOMEN’S CLASH EARLY

The Division 1 women’s clash between Bellarine and Mildura was brought to a premature end on Saturday night as a hailstorm leaked through the roof of Bellarine Secondary College.

The home side was leading 65-43 when the game was called off with 1.43 remaining in the third term.

According to a post on Bellarine’s social media page, the court “was unsafe for players” following the storm.

Bellarine now sits second on the ladder after the weekend’s result while Mildura is in fourth.

Haille Nickerson continued to be an important player for Pakenham. Photo: Basketball Victoria.

NICKERSON STARS FOR PAKENHAM

There’s no doubting Haille Nickerson is one of the most exciting players to watch in the Championship Women’s Division.

She led Pakenham to its second win of the season on Saturday night with 29 points, eight rebounds and three assists against Hume on Saturday night.

Unfortunately, she couldn’t rediscover that form on Sunday as the Warriors suffered a heavy loss against Wyndham.

WESTERN PORT’S UPSET WIN

It was a mixed double header weekend for the Steelers’ Championship Men’s team.

After going down to Hume on Saturday night, the Steelers upset Melbourne University a day later to record just their second win of the season.

Scott Stone led the way with 27 points while Russell Perment had 24 points on 85.7 per cent shooting.

Former NBL man Daryl Corletto again underlined his importance to the Steelers with 21 points and six assists.

KEYSBOROUGH’S IMPRESSIVE COMEBACK

Keysborough looked down and out against Camberwell on Saturday night but put together a brilliant defensive effort to come away with a 85-80 win.

The Cougars limited the Dragons to just 11.11 per cent shooting in the final quarter to escape with a vital victory which strengthened their place in the top-four.

Anthony Williams led the way with 25 points while Gerrard Newby and Leonard Harpe both had double-doubles for Keysborough.

Dexter Graham was Camberwell’s leading scorer with 19.

RMIT loom as one of the teams to beat. Photo: Basketball Victoria.

ARE RMIT THE TEAM TO BEAT?

RMIT laid down a marker in the Division 1 men’s competition in a double header weekend with two impressive wins.

First they overcame Bulleen by 19 points before backing it up with a five-point victory over Shepparton.

Despite losing the last three quarters against the Gators, the Redbacks were able to hold on largely thanks to the performances of Daniel Steen and Louse Agon with 25 and 22 points respectively.

GIPPSLAND UNITED MAINTAINS EDGE OVER PAKENHAM

In a rematch of last year’s Division 2 men’s grand final, it was Gippsland United who prevailed by two points in a thriller against Pakenham.

Both teams look set to push for a place in the Division 1 finals this season with impressive starts to the season.

Stephen O’Brien was the star of the show for Gippsland with 26 points and 12 rebounds while Joe Davis showed why he is one of the most exciting players in the competition for the Warriors with 34 points.

O’Brien’s performance was well above his senior average of 11.5 points per game.

Pakenham wasn’t empty-handed at the weekend after taking care of business against Collingwood on Sunday.

WESTERN PORT DUO PUT ON A SHOW

If Western Port duo Jenna Mastellone and Rachel Wansbrough continue to play at this level, the Steelers will be hard to stop in the race for the Division 1 Women’s title.

Mastellone (29 points) and Wansbrough (16 points and 18 rebounds) dominated as the Steelers recorded a commanding 17-point victory against Craigieburn.

Billie Lucas had an impressive performance off the bench reflected by a plus-minus of 23, a true indication of her impact on the court.

WHO DOESN’T LOVE SOME FREE BASKETBALL?

Maccabi bounced back to winning ways at the weekend in a double overtime thriller against Craigieburn.

In a back and forth contest, the Eagles were able to overcome a slow start with a 28-14 third term setting up a grandstand finish, which went for an extra 10 minutes with the two overtime periods.

Hudson De Bortoli’s three-pointer with just over two minutes remaining proved to be the difference between the two sides.

Der Bortoli had a nice game finishing with seven assists while Gene Vocale put up a 30-point, 10-rebound double-double for the visitors.

Mildura are on a strong run of form. Photo: Basketball Victoria.

MILDURA KEEPS UP IMPRESSIVE FORM

The Heat’s Division 2 Men’s team have now won back-to-back matches and look set for a finals push later this year.

They overcame a plucky Surf Coast on Saturday afternoon on the back of a comeback in the final quarter.

Tarryn Shaddock was a spark off the bench with 28 points on 13-18 shooting along with six rebounds.

CAN ANYONE STOP GIPPSLAND UNITED?

Gippsland United is 7-0 to start the Division 2 women’s season and is clearly the championship favourite.

On Sunday night, United powered to a big 98-84 victory over Blackburn on the back of a strong performance led from a trio off the bench.

Emily Scholtes and Alahna Arnason shot the lights out with 21 and 20 points respectively while Krystal Arnason was equally as effective with 19 of her own.