Sport
9 November, 2023
Double-header for both Blazers teams
A double-header weekend is in store for both men’s and women’s Blazers teams, taking them around the north of the state before a return home on Sunday. The Lady Blazers will have a difficult assignment on Saturday night as they come up against...
A double-header weekend is in store for both men’s and women’s Blazers teams, taking them around the north of the state before a return home on Sunday.
The Lady Blazers will have a difficult assignment on Saturday night as they come up against the third-placed Bendigo Braves, before an easier match-up against winless Macedon Ranges Rockies on Sunday at home.
While the Lady Blazers are all-but out of contention with four games remaining, it will be interesting to see if they can challenge the reigning champions on Saturday night, particularly with a full squad in.
Their fight was evident on Saturday night against the Kyneton Tigers, having led to half time, before a strong third quarter from the ladder-leaders helped them take a 65-57 win.
Nevertheless, playing-coach Faith McKenzie put in another strong outing, finishing with 19 points, moving up to third on the scoring ladder, while Maddy Egan and Emma Pedretti also provided 10 points apiece.
In their last meeting with the Braves in round one, the Lady Blazers whittled down a 13-point quarter time lead to sit just one point behind at the main break, before the Braves reset and scored 52 points to 24 in the second half to finish 29-point winners.
McKenzie, on that occasion, finished with 27 points, while Georgia Hiscock had 16 and Egan 13.
In their second game of the weekend, the Lady Blazers met every changes from the Macedon Ranges after quarter time to eventually record a 16-point win.
A fast start was crucial for the Lady Blazers, scoring 26 points to 14 in the first quarter, and keeping the Rockies at arm’s length the rest of the way with a short-handed lineup.
McKenzie had 26 points, while Egan finished with 20 and Sophie Pica had 18.
The men’s team has season-defining matches against the Echuca Pirates and Rockies this weekend, knowing that two wins will even the ledger.
The Blazers certainly come in having played well in their last few games, especially after taking a three-point win over the previously unbeaten Castlemaine Cannons last Saturday night.
Zac Dunmore has proven his worth in his three outings, and currently averages a touch over 26 points, including pouring in 29 in their win over the Cannons.
Bailey Jacobs was another who stood out, and continued his improvement by scoring 23 and proving to be a solid scoring option alongside Dunmore.
The Blazers should be favoured to defeat the Pirates, who currently sit ninth with just one win — that coming against the winless Kyneton.
However, the Rockies will pose a significant challenge, currently sitting inside the top four with four wins.
The Blazers will need to be on their toes if they are to keep their season alive as a result.