Cougars Celebrate Throwback Round with Three Big V Victories
The McKinnon Cougars celebrated Throwback Round with three victories across the weekend, as Big V basketball returned to the club's former home at Bentleigh Secondary College.
The Championship Women produced a dominant 35-point victory over Bellarine, while the Youth Championship Women continued their strong form with a 13-point win against Nunawading. The Youth League One Men bounced back from Saturday's road defeat to Blackburn with a hard-fought six-point victory over Ballarat on Sunday.
SATURDAY
YOUTH MEN – McKinnon Cougars (64) defeated by Blackburn Vikings (86)
The Youth League One Men were unable to overcome Blackburn on the road, falling by 22 points at Mullum Mullum Stadium.
McKinnon made a strong start to the contest, scoring 26 points in the opening quarter to take a seven-point advantage into the first break. Blackburn responded emphatically in the second period, outscoring the Cougars 25-11 to take control of the game before continuing to extend the margin throughout the second half.
Oliver Mann led McKinnon with 20 points, while Charlie Watts added 12 points and 5 rebounds on an efficient 5-of-7 shooting. Viv Anderson-Francois also finished with 12 points, while Jake Ansell battled strongly on the glass with 10 rebounds and 3 blocks.
CHAMPIONSHIP WOMEN – McKinnon Cougars (90) defeated Bellarine Storm (55)
The Championship Women marked the return to Bentleigh Secondary College in style, producing a dominant 35-point victory over Bellarine.
The two sides were locked at 18-18 after the opening quarter before McKinnon began to take control, building an 11-point halftime advantage. The Cougars continued to extend the margin after the main break before exploding for 27 points in the final quarter while holding Bellarine to just nine.
McKinnon shot an impressive 50 per cent from the field and dominated inside, converting 63.4 per cent of their two-point attempts. The Cougars also recorded 15 steals in a strong defensive performance.
Katherine Vaile led the way with a double-double of 20 points and 12 rebounds on 8-of-11 shooting. Javyn Nicholson added 18 points, 9 rebounds and 4 steals, while Amy Baum produced an outstanding all-round performance with 13 points, 7 assists and 4 steals. Annabel Fitter added 9 points and 4 assists off the bench.
CHAMPIONSHIP MEN – McKinnon Cougars v Bellarine Storm
The Championship Men's clash between McKinnon and Bellarine was abandoned on Saturday night.
Further information regarding the game will be provided when available.
SUNDAY
YOUTH WOMEN – McKinnon Cougars (79) defeated Nunawading Spectres (66)
The Youth Championship Women continued their impressive form, defeating Nunawading by 13 points at Bentleigh Secondary College.
McKinnon led by four points after the opening quarter before Nunawading cut the margin to one at halftime. The Cougars then seized control of the contest with a dominant third quarter, holding the Spectres to just seven points to establish an 11-point advantage entering the final period.
Daisy Nousis made a major impact with 19 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals in just 16 minutes. Eloise Leonard added 16 points, 6 assists and 4 steals, while Maddison Carr recorded a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Arden Bailey contributed 13 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists.
YOUTH MEN – McKinnon Cougars (83) defeated Ballarat Miners (77)
The Youth League One Men responded strongly from Saturday's defeat, overcoming Ballarat by six points to close out Throwback Round with a victory.
The Cougars established an early advantage and led by nine points at halftime after holding Ballarat to 16 points in the second quarter. The Miners fought back after the main break, cutting the margin to four entering the final period, but McKinnon held firm down the stretch to secure the win.
McKinnon controlled the rebounding battle 47-34 and forced 10 steals in a determined team performance.
Oliver Mann led the scoring with 19 points and 4 rebounds, while Charlie Watts recorded a double-double with 13 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks. Calvin Rama added 11 points, 3 assists and 3 steals, while Thomas D'Amelio finished with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Thomas Darcy also contributed 10 points, 3 assists and 2 steals.