By Hayley Wildes
It was a mixed weekend of Big V basketball action for the Casey Cavaliers.
The Championship men suffered a heavy defeat – just their third loss of the season – to Hawthorn. Without Brendon Polk, who is averaging 19 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, the Cavs just couldn’t stay with the Magic, falling 104-78.
Matt Donlan (17 points) led the scoring for Casey, while Raheem Lemons (15 points and 3 rebounds) battled hard all game. Despite the loss, the Cavs still sit second on the ladder with an 11-3 record.
The Championship women entered Round 11 stuck in a major form slump and unfortunately that continued against Whittlesea.
On the road, the Cavs were in the game until the closing stages – and led by five points at the final break – but when it mattered most, the Pacers were able to find their offensive groove and came away with a 75-68 win.
Toccara Ross (20 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals) did all she could in an effort to drag the Cavs over the line, but it wasn’t enough as Casey dropped its sixth game in a row. With a 4-7 record, the Cavs sit seventh on the ladder.
The Youth League 1 men had a date with the top of the table, and unbeaten, Ballarat Miners at home on Saturday night.
The Cavs were impressive on offence and stayed with the Miners the entire way, but ultimately, Ballarat prevailed in an enthralling battle by three points, 92-89. Brendon Head (21 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists) and Blake Taylor (19 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 blocks) were on a mission all game, but it wasn’t quite enough.
After that hard-fought encounter, the team returned to action on Sunday in Warrandyte and evened their ledger for the weekend.
The 70-52 win over the Venom was highlighted by having all 10 players who stepped on the court score – it was a total team effort after a draining game the night before. Corey Ross (13 points and 4 rebounds) top-scored for Casey and the Cavs now sit third on the ladder with a 10-5 record.
The Youth League 1 women continued their competition-best form with yet another win; their eighth on the trot.
Taking on Corio Bay at home on Saturday night, Casey was sublime in the first half to set up the 72-58 win. Again, it was the Cavs’ defence that got them going as they forced the Stingrays into 22 turnovers, which resulted in 21 points for Casey.
Tess Young (17 points and 13 rebounds) did it all for the Cavs as they brushed aside the bottom team with ease. Casey boasts an impressive 11-2 record to sit on top of the ladder.
All Big V divisions take a break this week, but the following weekend will be a massive one for all teams.
On June 15, a Championship women and men double-header tips off from 6pm at Casey Stadium, while the Youth League 1 men travel to Camberwell earlier that day. On 16 June, the Championship men hit the road to take on Corio Bay and the Youth League 1 women head to Camberwell.
