Redback form continues
Ararat Redbacks continued their premiership-potential form at the return of Country Basketball League south-west conference at the weekend.
With four teams enjoying bye rounds at the weekend, the Redbacks will join their competition brethren in a more expansive competition-wide, post-christmas return to basketball this weekend for round 14.
It was due to be an easy return for the Redbacks, the competition’s second-placed team, when they hosted Colac Kookas at Ararat on Saturday. However, their eventual 25-point win was in doubt after the Kookas pulled back their deficit margin before the final term.
The Kookas’ substantial third-term display left the Redbacks with only a five-point buffer as they headed into the last quarter. But the Redbacks’ class became evident again in the fourth term as they put another 20 points between them and the now sixth-placed Kookas.
The win does more than set-up Ararat for a CBL finals charge. It also closes the gap between them and table leader, Mount Gambier Lakers, to the closest possible margin.
A single percentage point now separates the teams. Matched on equal wins and losses after 13 games played apiece, the two sides won’t play each other again before finals.
The Redbacks might be confident, however, if the two were to meet in finals, after they comfortably sealed a win against the Lakers in their only bout this season in round 10.
With a bye in round 16, the last fixture before finals, Redbacks play Portland at the weekend, before they close out their season with games against Millicent Magic and Terang Tornadoes.
Zac Dunmore, who contributed a game-high 30 points in the Redbacks’ win against Kookas, was also re-selected to represent Ballarat Miners in 2023 for the NBL1 South season. It will be his fourth season on the Miners’ list.
The NBL1 is a semi-professional basketball league, with teams competing across Australia within South, North, Central, West, and East conferences, that started in 2019.
Horsham Hornets men’s and women’s sides return to competition this weekend.
The Hornets host Warrnambool on Saturday, before both teams travel to Portland on Sunday.
Both teams are fifth on their respective ladders, meaning a climb up the ladder is still needed for finals berths.
This week: Men, Ararat Redbacks v Portland Coasters at Portland, Horsham Hornets v Warrnambool Seahawks at Horsham, Horsham Hornets v Portland at Portland. Women, Horsham Hornets v Warrnambool Mermaids at Horsham, Horsham Hornets v Portland Coasters at Portland. Last week: Ararat Redbacks 91 d Colac Kookas 66 at Ararat.