A youthful Melton Thoroughbreds side was unable to get the job done on Saturday night, with an experienced Bendigo Braves outfit putting an end to their 2024 Country Basketball League north-west campaign.
While the Thoroughbreds were at home in the semi final clash, experience on the court prevailed with the Braves winning 93-47.
The Braves are heading to their fourth consecutive CBL women’s grand final, having won the championship two of the last three seasons, including the last one, and were runners up in the other year.
Momentum was against the Thoroughbreds early at Cobblebank Stadium as the Braves got away to a flying start, being 11 points up at quarter time.
The Thoroughbreds seemed to have their heads back in the game as the second term got underway trimming the lead to 10 at the half.
However, a half of competitive basketball was as much as the Thoroughbreds could handle on the weekend, with the Braves increasing their lead by 15 points in the third quarter, and by another 21 points in the last.
For the Thoroughbreds, Ella Macleod and Elle Price were the standouts putting up 13 and 12 points respectively.
The Braves’ Poppy Blanch was her side’s best with a game high 30 points.
While a semi-final departure was not what the Thoroughbreds were looking for, they can take plenty of confidence from their season, winning eight of their 10 regular season fixtures, including beating the Braves in round four.
The Thoroughbreds’ team boasted an average age of just 15, with their oldest player just 18 years old, indicating an exciting future ahead for basketball in Melton.
It was heartbreak for the men’s side as well, which fell short against the Mildura Heat on Saturday night.
The Thoroughbreds had to make the long trek up to Mildura as they hoped to qualify for a second straight grand final.
The Thoroughbreds started the better of the two sides and took a five point lead into the first break.
The second quarter was another close one, with the Thoroughbreds able to extend their lead to six points at the main break.
After half time Mildura turned up the heat and started to take control of the game, hitting the lead half way through the quarter.
A 28-19 quarter turned the six point deficit into a three point lead heading into the final quarter.
It was much of the same in the final quarter, which the Heat won 27-15, to run away with a 93-78 win.
Milan Savic top scored for the Thoroughbreds, while Bol Bak chipped in with 19 points.
While the two Melton teams were knocked out, it will still be a big Saturday night at Cobblebank Stadium.
Both the men’s and women’s north-west grand finals will be held at Melton.
Kyneton Tigers will face the Bendigo Braves in the women’s grand final from 5.15pm, with the men’s grand final between the Braves and Heat to follow.
