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Under 18 AJC: Day Five Wrap
Our High Performance Manager Brett Coxsedge provides his day five wrap on our Under 18 State Teams at the Under 18 Australian Junior Championships in Canberra.
WA Metro Men vs Queensland North Men
A positive start by WA Metro scoring the first 5 pts of the game and two triples by Jayden Coburn saw WA Metro lead early in the contest. Some nice transition baskets by WA Metro caught Queensland North by surprise early on. Queensland’s Harry Froling got his team back in to the game through some nice play inside. At the end of the quarter WA led 21-20.
The second quarter started out with both teams trading baskets. Queensland North increased their defensive pressure which resulted in WA Metro finding it difficult to score. Queensland North were able to take the lead and be up 43-33 at the half time break.
A Sam Alabakis dunk to start the quarter was just what WA Metro needed to get them going. The lead was quick reduced to 5pts however Queensland steadied the ship to again extend their lead back out to 9pts at the 5 min mark. WA Metro fought hard to get back in the game to close the gap and be down 56-52 going in to the last quarter.
Queensland North came out of the blocks in the final quarter to again push their lead out to 12pts. WA Metro tried to fight their way back in to the game with two big 3pt shots from Andrej Donlagic, however in the end Queensland North were able to hold on to win 89-82.
WA Country Men vs Victoria Country Men
WA Country found themselves with the unenviable task of playing an undefeated Vic Country team in what was always going to be a tough contest. As they have done all tournament the WA Country boys came out of the blocks playing hard, competing with their counterparts. Vic Country led early by 11pts however WA Country were able to reduce the lead to 5pts to trail 19-14 at quarter time.
Vic Country took control of the game in the second quarter holding WA Country to just 7pts for the quarter whilst scoring 20pts themselves. At the half time break Vic Country led 39-21.
The second half was a much more even affair with WA Country competing with their opponents and even winning the final quarter 24-22. However in the end, Vic Country’s depth shone as they ran out winners 83-60.
WA Metro Women vs NSW Metro Women
In the first half NSW Metro toiled hard to establish a 38-28 lead at the half time break.
A fantastic defensive effort in the third quarter by WA Metro, keeping NSWM to just 3pts saw WA Metro take over the game and lead going in to the last quarter 48-41.
The final quarter was a real fight with WA Metro gaining control with the lead getting out to 10pts. Strong inside play from all of WA Metro’s bigs was proving the difference. NSW Metro showed why they are finals contenders by battling their way back in to the contest. With WA Metro up by 2pts, NSW Metro’s Tahlia Tupaea hit a shot to put the game in to overtime.
A Taylah Hepburn layup to start the last quarter was the positive start that WA Metro needed. WA Metro kept up their defensive pressure limiting NSW Metro’s shots. In the end, WA Metro were able to control the play and knock their free throws down to win 73-68.
WA Country Women vs SA Metro Women
WA Country got off to a great start against SA Metro jumping out to a 11-4 lead early in the piece. Mackenzie Hoycard was asserting herself inside whilst Rachel Pettit and Raya Thompson were also being aggressive on the offensive end. WA Country found themselves up 21-15 at the end of the quarter.
The second quarter saw SA Metro fight their way back in to the game with some good outside shooting. WA Country continued to hang tough, with the score all tied up at 34-all at half time.
SA Metro exploded out of the blocks in the third to blow the lead out to 15pts. However a 3pt and 2pt shot from Morgan Ballantyne reduced the lead back to 10pts. Another number of 3pt bombs by SA Metro saw them lead 64-47 at the final break.
The final quarter saw SA Metro assert their authority by continuing to knock down their outside shots and scoring some easy transition baskets. In the end the WA Country girls ran out of steam and were defeated 101-58.
WA Metro Men vs Northern Territory Men
In their second game of the day, WA Metro have recorded their first win of the tournament by defeating NT 81-51.
Both teams struggled to score at the start of the game with neither troubling the scoreboard. WA Metro’s size was making it difficult for NT to score. As the quarter progressed WA Metro were able to edge their way in front to lead 13-11 at the first break.
The second quarter was a dour affair with scores hard to come by. WA Metro did just enough to lead 26-20 at half time.
The third quarter saw NT hang around. A couple of long bombs from Jaydon Coburn saw WA Metro slowly grind their lead out to be up 56-37 going in to the final quarter.
WA Metro increased their full court pressure in the final quarter to finally break the NT team and get the win.
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