The Navexa Geelong United Youth League Men have climbed to third on the Big V Youth League 1 ladder after conquering their weekend road-home double.
Luke Beard’s roster extended their winning streak to four with comfortable wins over Bendigo and Coburg, respectively.
On Saturday night, Geelong United headed north for a meeting with the Braves without Jack Terrill, Jack Moran, Marach Marach and Jay Posterino, who were all on NBL1 duty.
However, an even team performance in which five players scored in double figures resulted in a 93-79 victory for United.
Bailey Bruce scored 15 points in just 19 minutes of court time to lead all scorers for Geelong United.
On Sunday at Geelong Arena, with Terrill, Moran and Marach back in the lineup, a 33-12 second quarter proved the difference in a 100-62 hiding of Coburg.
Bruce was again his usual efficient self with 19 points and six assists in 21 minutes, while Patrick Johnston chimed in with 15 points and seven rebounds in 18 minutes on the floor.
Jason Bannerman’s Youth League Women’s squad snapped a three-game losing streak with a gritty 71-69 victory over the Giants.
Leading 37-28 at half-time, United saw its nine-point advantage reduced to six at three-quarter time.
With Vanessa Marsh and Georgia Cox both fouling out, and Cashide Green suffering an ankle injury.
However, Kayla Blazko (13 points) was able to hold her nerve down the stretch, making three of four free throw attempts in the final 20 seconds to help her team to their second win of the season.
Blazko also hauled in an impressive 18 rebounds in the victory, with Vanessa Marsh scoring 13 points.
Coach Bannerman believes the foundation for Sunday’s win was laid on Saturday night despite suffering an 89-74 loss to McKinnon.
Phoebe Calvert fought hard for 21 points, while Green had 16 and youngster Jasmine King finished with 13.
“Although the ‘W’ was not there a great deal of positives came out of the game,” Bannerman said.
The Youth League men and women will travel to Craigieburn on Saturday, with the women returning to Geelong Arena on Sunday for a meeting with Sunbury.
