LIAM DURKIN
BASKETBALL
BIG V
By LIAM DURKIN
GIPPSLAND United men went to the top of the Big V ladder at the weekend.
The men’s side made it back-to-back wins in double header action, making it 10 wins in a row.
On Saturday, United won something of a local derby at the Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium defeating Pakenham 89-80.
United was made to work hard for the points, shaking off a persistent Pakenham outfit that refused to go away.
The home side held sway by two points at the last change and finished strongly, shooting 21 points to 14 in the last.
Major point scorers for United were Brandon Armstrong with 17, Stephen O’Brien (15), Jordan Gooiker (13) and Tom Portbury (12).
O’Brien was productive at both ends, securing eight rebounds.
United backed up its efforts with an 83 to 78 win over Sherbrooke the following day.
Travelling to Upwey for a top-of-the-table clash, United recovered from a slow start to grind their way to victory.
Armstrong was again prolific, netting 19 points, while Jordan Canovan had six rebounds and five assists.
United has made the greatest possible impression in its maiden season as a club to sit outright first on the table.
The team has dropped just one game from 11 starts, and boasts a percentage north of 130.
GIPPSLAND United women won their match against Corio Bay.
The win was an important one in the context of United’s season, who would have identified Corio Bay as a side they will be jostling with for a place in the finals.
United started well, scoring 19 points in the first quarter, and then really got going in the second, netting 18 to 12.
Corio Bay had the better of United in the third, scoring 21 to 19, before the home side finished with 19 points to 14.
Most players on the United roster saw good minutes.
Chloe Hogg shot 20 points and had nine rebounds, while Emily Scholtes was busy, scoring 14 points from 18 and a half minutes of court time.
The win takes United to sixth with a five-win, four-loss record.
To its credit, the side has not let the departure of coach Gail Macfarlane derail its campaign.
Macfarlane stepped down recently, owning to family, business and Basketball Victoria Performance Pathway commitments.
UNITED are home again this weekend.
The men play Whittlesea and the women will take on Coburg. Action starts at 6pm.
