Weekend Wrap – 25th & 26th May

Youth Women
Eltham Wildcats 77 def Corio Bay Stingrays 55
Top performers: L. Brancatisano 14 points/10 rebounds/12 assists/6 steals, E. Horsley 23 points/18 rebounds

The Wildcats have won their third game of the season behind a brilliant performance by point guard Lily Brancatisano. Lily posted a near quadruple double (14/10/12/6) as the Wildcats took over the third period outscoring the visiting stingrays 29-2. The Wildcats dominated the rebound count, points in the paint and second chance points with four players posting double figure rebounds.

Youth Men
Eltham Wildcats 86 def Waverley Falcons 72
Top performers: C. Yammouni 15 points, T. Clifford 13 points, B. Norris 12 points

Going into the halftime break down three points the Wildcats once again came out firing in the second half behind their defence. Waverley were only able to score 14 points in the third and 15 points in fourth quarter as Eltham shot 46% from the field and scoring 37 bench points.

Eltham Wildcats 98 def Blackburn Vikings 71
Top performers: C. Yammouni 26 points, B. Norris 16 points, Z. Cunningham & T. Clifford 15 points

Back to back wins for Eltham on the weekend has secured a top spot in the Victorian Youth Championship Men’s competition with a 13-1 record. Eltham won the first three quarters comfortably including a 33-7 third period massacre of the Vikings. The lead blew out to 41 points before Blackburn cut the deficit in the final quarter. Once again Eltham stated an incredible 19 steals and 39 bench points which has to keep coach Stratford happy.

NBL1 Women
Eltham Wildcats 105 def Hobart Huskies 103 (Overtime)
Top performers: C. Schweers 29 points, C. Brook 22 points/8 rebounds, A. Ellis 20 points/5 rebounds/ 5 assists/7 steals

The Wildcats have won their 7th game of the season in nail bitting fashion. A high scoring shootout at Eltham High School on Sunday would see Eltham win by two points in overtime. The Huskies took advantage of the slow starting Wildcats opening up a 30-15 lead going into the second quarter. Eltham cut the deficit to 10 at the main break and would get themselves back in the game with a 32-16 third quarter. The Wildcats stepped up the defensive pressure and it paid dividends as a pair of free throws by V. Panousis with five seconds to go in the fourth quarter put Eltham up by two. After a time out the Huskies somehow managed to get a tough shot off after fumbling the ball as J. Schlott netted a running floater to send the game into overtime on the buzzer.

Overtime went back and fourth as Hobart appeared to grab momentum with only a minute and change remaining getting out to a four point lead. Then young Wildcat star Abbey Ellis took over scoring four points of her own and grabbing two crucial steals to ensure a much needed win.

NBL1 Men
Eltham Wildcats 82 def Hobart Huskies 71
Top performers: J. Sykes 18 points/15 rebounds, G. McKay 17 points, A. Doyle 16 points/6 assists

The Wildcats took advantage of the Huskies tired legs after a double overtime win the night before against Frankston. A 25-10 opening period for Eltham would set the pace of the game as Hobart struggled to find the basket shooting 8-37 from behind the three point line. Hobart fought their way back winning the third and fourth periods but it wouldn’t be enough as the Wildcats won their second consecutive game.