Tara Murray
The start of a new rivalry got underway on Sunday as the Melton Thoroughbreds and the Bacchus Marsh Lions faced each other in the Basketball Victoria Country Basketball League for the first time.
With Melton having teams for the first time, competing alongside the Lions in north-west competition, the neighbouring teams had this match up pegged in the calendar since the start of the season.
The two matches were originally scheduled to be played in Bacchus Marsh, but with a large crowd expected the matches were moved to Cobblebank Stadium in Melton to accommodate more fans.
The women’s teams got the action underway, with the Lions producing their best performance of the season getting the win, 79-64.
The Thoroughbreds led by two points at quarter time, before the Lions found another gear to lead by eight points at half time.
They were able to increase to 10 points in the three quarter. There would be no last quarter comeback with the Lions sealing the win with an 18-13 final term.
Jordan Wilson starred for the Lions with 24 points, while Mackenzie Reddrop top scored with 18 points for the Thoroughbreds.
The two teams sit fifth and sixth with three wins and four losses each heading into the final round.
The men’s teams then faced off, with the undefeated Thoroughbreds proving way too strong, winning 99-76.
The Thoroughbreds jumped out of the blocks and led by 13 points at quarter time and then by 21 points at the half.
The margin continued to grow in the third quarter, before the Lions finished the match off with a strong last quarter, winning it 31-26.
Blake Allison continued his good form, top scoring for the Thoroughbreds with 31 points. Zak Martinez was the best for the Lions with 22 points.
The Thoroughbreds sit on top undefeated headed into the final round, while the Lions sit in ninth.
