BASKETBALL
CBL GIPPSLAND
CHURCHILL secured second spot on the Country Basketball League Gippsland men’s ladder with victory over the red hot Sale Sonics at home on Sunday.
The Blue Devils made a roaring start to lead 25-12 at the first change, and never looked back to win 77-68.
The consistent Jordan Canovan accumulated 29 points to lead all scorers with help from Andrew Petrou (15 points) and Vashon Weaver (14) in his second game back for the club.
Churchill held Western Port off for third place by just .56 per cent after the Steelers accounted for Moe by five points.
Warragul finished top and Sale ended up third.
The playoffs will commence next weekend with Churchill to again face Sale at the Gippsland Regional Sports Complex, while Warragul hosts Western Port.
CBL Gippsland women
MOE, Traralgon and Churchill rounded out the top three places on the CBL Gippsland women’s ladder following the weekend’s final round of the regular season.
The Blue Devils finished even on points with fifth placed Western Port and fourth spot finisher Maffra Eagles, but a superior head-to-head record secured safe passage to the playoffs.
Maffra scored a percentage boosting win over Warragul to climb into the four also on head-to-head results over the Lady Steelers, who lost to Moe to tumble out.
The Meteors’ victory pushed it to top spot and the minor premiership.
Carly Mullen-Bianconi and Jaz Shelley were instrumental in Moe’s 62-55 win with 22 and 20 points respectively.
The playoffs begin next weekend with Traralgon at home to Churchill and Moe to host Maffra.
