Sport
23 October, 2023
Blazers go down fighting
Both Maryborough Blazers teams were unable to get back on track over the weekend, losing all three of their games to leave themselves fighting an uphill battle to make the finals. The Lady Blazers were up first as they hosted the Melton...
Both Maryborough Blazers teams were unable to get back on track over the weekend, losing all three of their games to leave themselves fighting an uphill battle to make the finals.
The Lady Blazers were up first as they hosted the Melton Thoroughbreds on Saturday, and were able to welcome back Maddy Egan, as well as having Keisha Tonzing in for her first home game of the season.
The Lady Blazers made a competitive start as they scored 18 points in the first quarter to Melton’s 21 to stay in touch.
In the second quarter, Maryborough were able to make the running, with playing-coach Faith McKenzie, Egan and Tonzing all hitting the scoreboard. They scored 19 points to 14 for the quarter to lead by two points at the main break.
The third quarter was back and forth, but it was Melton who enjoyed the better of the play as they were able to sneak their way back in front, courtesy of an 18-point to 14 quarter.
With the game, and Maryborough’s season, well and truly on the line, they gave it their all, but Melton were just slightly better, as they scored 16 points to 13 in the final term to finish 69-64 victors.
The result leaves the Lady Blazers still seeking their first win of the season, but will have a chance against the Macedon Ranges Rockies next week, who sit below them.
Egan finished with 17 points, while McKenzie scored 16, Tonzing 10 and Maggie Tranter and Emma Pedretti eight apiece.
It was the men’s turn to take to the Maryborough Sports and Leisure Centre next, and they were able to unleash new recruit Zac Dunmore for the first time.
However, it was Melton who made a fast start, scoring 23 points to 16 to take an early seven-point cushion at the first break.
The Blazers were doing what they could to get back into the game, but Melton’s potent scoring ability was coming to the fore every single time, and they were able to increase their lead as they scored 26 points to 17 in the second to lead by 16 at the half.
In an entertaining third term, both teams looked to score heavily, with Dunmore, in particular, looking to make an impact. In the end, however, both teams scored 24 points, with Melton holding on to their 16-point lead.
The last quarter was a similar affair, with Maryborough looking to continue to score to get back into the game, while Melton looked to keep the margin hovering around 15 points.
In the end, Melton scored 22 points to 21 to finish 17-point winners.
Dunmore finished with 29 points, while Lachlan Drummond scored 18 in his best performance of the season so far.
The Blazers needed to defeat Castlemaine on Sunday to keep their season alive.
Castlemaine made the better start, as they scored 23 points to 19 in the first term to open up a four-point break.
The second quarter was more of a defensive affair, with points coming at a premium. However, it was Castlemaine that continue to clear away, scoring 14 points to 11 to increase their lead to seven points at the main break.
The third quarter was also a battle, with Maryborough scoring just eight points for the term, while Castlemaine scored 11 to increase their lead to 10 at the final change.
However, the last quarter saw a shift in momentum. Mostly coming through Dunmore, as well as Brady Neill, the Blazers were able to start the last term with a 10-0 run to level the scores.
Castlemaine eventually got on the scoreboard, but the Blazers were keeping up with them. A late foul on Dunmore as he shot for three allowed him the chance to send the game to overtime, and he duly delivered.
The overtime period was a tight affair, but Castlemaine were able to keep their undefeated run going, scoring nine points to five in the extra period to eventually record a four-point win.
Dunmore added another 21 points to his tally, with Neill added 16.
The men’s Blazers now have a bye in round four, before returning to host Castlemaine in round five.