By JARROD POTTER
SEABL – Round 14
EMPHATICALLY brushing aside Nunawading, two Dandy victories have set up a strong run towards the SEABL finals.
Dandenong men showed no mercy towards the Spectres, ghoulishly haunting the ring to outscore Nunawading 114-85.
Splitting the minutes – and subsequently a bucket load of points – Chuck Long (22 points), Andrew Harms (21 points) and Daequon Montreal (15 points, 11 rebounds) led the charge to keep Dandenong right in the hunt near the top of the SEABL East Conference.
Larissa Anderson’s women’s side was just as devastating – hitting their straps to claim a 90-67 triumph over the Spectres.
Not even the absence of three starters – Jacinta Kennedy, Amelia Todhunter and Aimie Clydesdale – can halt the Rangers’ march towards finals.
Led by Clare Papavs (21 points, 10 rebounds) – who is in All Star form this season – in tandem with gutsy performances from Dandenong faithful Faith Probst (15 points, 8 rebounds) and Alison Downie (12 points, 9 rebounds), the Rangers soared past the Spectres in an effort you’d have to see to believe.
Young point guard Bree Whatman (16 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists) showed she can step up to the standard and excel, taking to starter’s duties with aplomb.
Both Rangers’ sides travel to face Geelong on Saturday night.
BIG V Division 2 – Round 17
THE march towards finals continued in earnest for Keysborough as Nathan Vogt’s men took a scintillating 90-63 win over Maccabi.
A 28-12 final term left no question as to the Cougars’ intent as David Smith (27 points, 11 rebounds) had a monster outing in league with Malcolm Heard (12 points, 5 rebounds) in a roster-wide starring effort.
Keysborough can still claim second in the division with a win over Coburg on Saturday and a Craigieburn loss to North East.
Meanwhile Keysborough women will end their second BIG V season on the road against Coburg on Saturday night after a gallant 53-63 performance against Blackburn. After leading through the first half, the Vikings charged over the top of the Cougars, despite the best efforts of Emily Rider (16 points, 7 rebounds) – who stayed on court for the full 40 – and Billie Lucas (15 points, 11 rebounds).
