Sport
16 October, 2023
Mixed weekend for Blazers on the court
It was a mixed weekend for the Maryborough Blazers in the Country Basketball League. An inexperienced Lady Blazers took to the floor first on Saturday night at the Maryborough Sports and Leisure Centre as they played host to the Bacchus Marsh Lions...

It was a mixed weekend for the Maryborough Blazers in the Country Basketball League.
An inexperienced Lady Blazers took to the floor first on Saturday night at the Maryborough Sports and Leisure Centre as they played host to the Bacchus Marsh Lions.
A host of changes were made, with a number of young players including Paige Walkley, Zali Linton, Charlotte Cain and Ella Patten coming into the lineup — as did Sophie Pica — with Maddy Egan sorely missed.
The Lady Blazers put up a good fight in the opening half. They were able to score 13 points to the Lions’ 16 to stay in touch throughout the opening quarter to sit three points in arrears at the first change.
In an even second quarter, it was the Lady Blazers who were able to make some inroads on the Lions as they scored 14 points to 13 to leave the margin just two points at the main break.
However, as was the case in round one, the third quarter was the Lady Blazers’ undoing as the Lions took charge of the game, scoring 20 points while restricting the Lady Blazers to just six points for the term as they took a 16-point lead into the last quarter.
It was all Bacchus Marsh in the final term as they were able to enjoy their best offensive quarter, scoring 29 points, while the Lady Blazers added 16.
Georgia Hiscock had another solid outing, leading all scorers with 15 points, while playing-coach Faith McKenzie had 13. Emma Pedretti also finished in double-digits with 10 points.
The men’s team then took centre stage, desperate for a result after losing to Bendigo in round one.
However, the Lions were also quick off the blocks, scoring 19 points to 11 in the first term to take an eight-point lead going into the first change.
At times during the second term, the Blazers looked like fighting back and getting a foothold, but every time it seemed they were closing the gap, the Lions would have the answers, and they scored 18 points to 15 in the second term to increase their lead to 11 points at the main break.
The Blazers had an excellent start to the third term in closing the gap to just two points, however, the Lions would again frustrate the large crowd in attendance by regaining their scoring touch and keeping their noses in front. In a high-scoring quarter, the Blazers scored 23 points to 21 to reduce the margin to nine points at the final change.
The last quarter played out similarly to the rest of the game, with the Blazers going on a couple of scoring runs to get the margin to just five points, but the Lions, as was the case throughout the night, had all the answers, scoring 24 points to 21 in the last term to finish 12-point winners.
Playing-coach Brady Neill led all scorers to finish with 18 points, while Darcy Bond shook off early foul trouble to finish with 12 points. Ky Swards had a breakout game, with the young point guard finishing with 11 points.
The Lady Blazers returned to action on Sunday desperately needing a win against Kyneton to get back into playoff contention.
In a fairly even start, it was the Tigers who took an early lead, scoring 20 points to 14 to take an early six-point lead.
However, the Lady Blazers came into their own in the second term, and played their best basketball so far this season in restricting the Tigers to just five points for the quarter, while scoring 18 points themselves, turning the game around and leading by seven points at half time.
The third quarter was a tight battle, with both teams trading buckets throughout. In the end, it was Kyneton who narrowly took the quarter, closing the gap to six points at the final change thanks to a 15-point to 14 term.
The Blazers needed buckets to keep their lead, but it wasn’t forthcoming. Instead, it was all Kyneton in the final term as they were able to hold the Lady Blazers scoreless, while adding 17 points of their own to eventually record an 11-point win.
McKenzie was the sole Blazer to finish with more than 10 points with 18, while Keisha Tonzing made a welcome return scoring eight points.
The men took to the court next as they sought their first win of the season. The first quarter was a tight affair, with the Blazers taking a narrow lead thanks to 21 points to 18.
However, it was the second quarter where the Blazers made their move as they looked to quickly take charge of the game. They scored 23 points to 11 to turn the game in their favour, and opened up a 15-point lead at the main break.
Kyneton tried their utmost to get back into the game in what was a high-scoring third term, with both teams scoring 24 points apiece, and the Blazers were able to maintain their 15-point gap as they turned for home.
It was the Blazers’ day, as they were able to finish off with a 20-point to 13 quarter to eventually record a solid 88-66 victory and get back on track ahead of another crucial double-header next week against Melton and Castlemaine respectively.
It was Lochlan Oellering’s turn for a breakout game, scoring 23 points in an impressive display, while Neill again contributed with 17 points. Bond finished with 13, Bailey Jacobs had 10 points, and Kynan Carter played well with nine points.