Sport
13 November, 2023
Four from four in Blazers’ best weekend
The Maryborough Blazers put together their best weekend of the year, winning four games out of four to show that they’re not quite finished yet. The Lady Blazers kept the faintest of finals chances alive with two strong wins, including a big win...
The Maryborough Blazers put together their best weekend of the year, winning four games out of four to show that they’re not quite finished yet.
The Lady Blazers kept the faintest of finals chances alive with two strong wins, including a big win on Saturday night against reigning champion Bendigo Braves. They will now need to win their final two games, while also relying on either Melton Thoroughbreds or Bendigo losing their remaining games, to give themselves a shot.
On Saturday night, a big second half allowed the Lady Blazers to walk away with a 21-point win at Red Energy Arena.
A quick start allowed the Lady Blazers to build up an 11-point lead at the first change thanks to a 23-12 opening term, but the Braves hit back in the second quarter after scoring 33 points to 20.
The third quarter did the trick for the Lady Blazers, scoring 34 points to 18, and they finished off the job with no fuss, scoring 26 points to 19 in the final term to crack the 100-point barrier for the first time this season, winning 103-82.
The win came thanks to three dominant scoring displays, with Faith McKenzie continuing her stellar run this season with 25 points. Maddy Egan added 22 and Georgia Hiscock added 20.
Beyond that, there were also some solid performances from Elisa Pica (13 points) and Charlotte Cain (11 points).
An hour up the road in Echuca, the men’s team were looking to keep their own season alive, and delivered with a 33-point win thanks to a dominant second half of their own.
The Blazers had to fight off the Pirates, but when they did, they were able to play some of their best basketball for the season.
Twenty points to 19 saw the Blazers lead by the barest of margins at the first change, but Echuca hit back in the second term to score 23 points to 21 to lead by one at the main break.
When Maryborough came out of the sheds for the second half, they were on fire, scoring 30 points to 18 in the third term to take an 11-point lead going into the final term, before scoring 32 points to 10 to finish off the job, scoring 103 points to 70 in a solid display.
Zac Dunmore was dominant, scoring 36 points, including a monster dunk, while Darcy Bond had his best game of the season, scoring 22 points. Bailey Jacobs (13 points) and Lachlan Drummond (10 points) also provided a solid scoring avenue for the Blazers.
The Blazers returned home on Sunday for their final home stand of the season.
The Lady Blazers were up first, looking to make it three wins in a row when they hosted the Macedon Ranges Rockies.
After a tight start, which saw Maryborough lead by five points courtesy of an 18-13 start, the Lady Blazers put their foot down defensively, and didn’t give the Rockies any room inside the paint.
The Lady Blazers scored 19 points to five in the second term to increase their lead to 19 at the main break, and followed that up with an 18-4 quarter in the third term to lead by 33 at the final change.
While the Rockies finished off strongly with a 19-17 final term, the damage was well and truly done, and the Lady Blazers celebrated their first win at home for the season.
In an efficient display, Egan was dominant inside the paint, scoring at will in finishing with 27 points, while McKenzie added a further 10. Keisha Tonzing and Hiscock finished with nine points each.
The men’s team were determined to move to within half a game of fourth spot, and were able to deliver with a big win against the Macedon Ranges Rockies.
A fast start for the Blazers saw them score 19 points to 12 in the first term to lead by seven points, before they were able to increase their lead in the second term, scoring 24 points to 21 to lead by 10 at the main break.
In the third term, the Blazers kept on scoring at will, scoring 29 points to 24 to move 15 points clear at the last change.
Maryborough had to survive a furious last-quarter comeback from the Rockies, which saw them close to within two points at one stage, before the Blazers were able to settle by scoring 22 points to the Rockies’ 29 to finish 94-86 winners.
Dunmore was again spectacular, scoring 35 points, while Jacobs added 25 and Drummond 13.
An enormous weekend of basketball sees the Blazers travel to the north of the state for a double-header with the Mildura Heat and Swan Hill Flyers.
The men’s team will be looking for two wins to give themselves a chance of making the finals, but will require a win against the ladder-leading Heat.
Meantime, the Lady Blazers will be looking to finish their home and away campaign strongly and keep themselves in with the slightest chance.
