Mildura turn on the Heat

IN THE long-awaited top-of-the-table basketball clash, the Mildura Heat accounted for the Sherbrooke Suns 116 to 100.
In a closely contested first quarter which saw Mildura lead by five points and the Suns sending the Heat to the free throw line a staggering 19 times, Sherbrooke found some of their starting five in foul trouble.
This allowed Mildura to extend their lead to 15 points at the main break.
After a halftime rev-up from coach Frank Woodhouse, the Suns set about reducing the deficit and got back to within 6 points before Mildura steadied and went on to a comfortable victory.
For Sherbrooke, John Greig with 32 points and 12 rebounds and Garth van Noorden with 16 and 4, both battled hard.
This week sees Sherbrooke away to bottom side Bulleen.
The Division 2 women maintained their grip on second position on the back of a 79-36 demolition of the McKinnon Cougars.
Sherbrooke controlled this game from the opening tip-off recording an 18-6 first quarter and then going even better in the third quarter with 25-2. Sherbrooke’s defence, which restricted the Cougars to just four unsuccessful three-point attempts, was a highlight in a very balanced team effort.
For the Suns, Robyn Ladd recorded another game MVP with 20 points, five rebounds and five steals. She was ably supported by Sharlene Fraser 12 pts, six rebounds and five steals and Tara Blair six points, nine rebounds, an incredible 11 steals and eight assists.
The women also have an away game this Saturday against the Melton Thoroughbreds.
Sherbrooke’s Youth League 2 men have slipped to fifth position after an unexpected loss to Hume City Broncos 118 to 97.
With only two points separating the teams at quarter time and five at halftime the crowd were expecting a resurgent Sherbrooke to come out in the second half.
Hume City, however, out-bustled the Suns and never allowed Sherbrooke to get into any rhythm.
Overall, the Broncos dominated the boards taking 75 to 44 rebounds and shooting 68 per cent from the free throw line compared to 26 per cent from the Suns.
For a disappointing Sherbrooke, Matt Cromarty with 18 points, 12 rebounds and three blocked shots, Rowan Williams 17 pts and Jake Spruhan with 12 pts, six rebounds and four assists were the better contributors.
The Youth League travel to Waverley this week to take on the third placed Falcons in what could well be a season defining game.