30 May 2022
Some terrific results for what was a massive weekend for both the Men and Women, especially when it comes the finals.
Saturday night kicked off with the visiting Corio Bay Stingrays making the trip to take on our Women in the first game with interim coach Wayne Royal in control. The team looked comfortable throughout the match except for a short period in the third term. Corio Bay hit 4 threes in a row to cut a 14 point lead down to 6 points at which time some great leadership from Chloe Hogg and Carly Wood settled the team on both ends of the floor.
The women ended the game as 12 point winners. Chloe Hogg again leading the way with 20 points and 9 rebounds. Emily Scholtes provided a spark off the bench with 14 points and 4 rebounds. The win keeps the Women’s team in touch with the top 5 and a finals spot.
The Men followed with a game against our nearest neighbors Pakenham Warriors. In a top of the table clash the game did not disappoint. The two teams traded blows throughout the game with the home team finishing 9 points ahead. It was a real arm wrestle where defense and some key shooting moments the difference. Early on in the game, Stephen O-Brien was unstoppable ending the game with 15 points. Kody Tibballs was outstanding on the defensive end of the floor with 3 steals, a number of deflections and a huge block. Jordan Gooiker was 4 from 4 from down town and local legend Jordan Canovan 10 from 10 from the line – with those free throws keeping the visitors at bay. Unfortunately a nasty ankle injury to Billy Hughes kept him out of the second half and he also missed Sundays game.
On Sunday the men travelled to Sherbrooke where they wanted to avenge their only loss for the season. In another great tussle the men came away the victors with a 5 point margin. It was on the defensive end of the floor where the game was won! With 10 steals and forcing 18 turnovers the Gippsland United men turned defense to offense.
Brandon Armstrong hit the stat sheet ending the game with 19 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals. Ben Barlow next best with a solid 14 points. The two wins over the weekend sealed the men at the top of the ladder.
Next Weekend is another home double header:
Women vs Coburg @ 6pm
Men vs Whittlesea @8pm
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