TRARALGON T-Birds made a mixed start to its Country Basketball League Gippsland women’s title defence with a win and a loss in its opening round double header at the weekend.
The reigning premier was toppled on the road by Korumburra, 68-60, but bounced back to win its grand final replay against Moe, 79-53.
Bendigo Spirit development squad member Chelsea D’Angelo was in superb form, notching a game high 17 points against the Wildcats and a whopping 36 to power the charge against the Meteors.
It rounded out a tough weekend for Moe, which went down to Southern Peninsula by 11 points on Saturday.
The Churchill Blue Devils began their women’s campaign in style, accounting for Warragul by 14 points at home.
Five players hit double-figure points tallies with young gun Samantha Labros leading the way with 17.
The Blue Devils were less successful in the men’s conference and dropped their opener to a convincing Warragul side 53-82.
The defending men’s champion was well served by Jordan Canovan (20 points) and Andrew Petrou (18), but received few contributions from other corners.
Jarrod King Church and Trent Everitt scored 20 points apiece to lift Traralgon to an opening win against Korumburra, but the T-Birds were brought down to earth by Moe on Sunday.
The Meteors registered an 11-point win over Traralgon in their first appearance on Sunday, led by 23 points from Nick Sedley.
