The Country Basketball League is well underway for season 2022/23.
The season has been going for three weeks, with teams across Gippsland and even one from the Peninsula taking part.
In a notable change this season, Morwell Magic is making a return to the men’s division, in place of Churchill Blue Devils.
The Blue Devils suffered a fairly acrimonious exit from the CBL competition during the off-season.
A number of players from Churchill have since joined Morwell for this season.
Defending champion Traralgon won its opening round game 110 to 79 against Lakes Entrance, while Moe received a great confidence boost by knocking off grand finalists Warragul 100-90.
Morwell went down to Southern Peninsula 95-79 on return to CBL. Maffra had the better of Sale in the local derby, winning 74-54, and won again the next day, defeating Wonthaggi 95-66.
Wonthaggi did get a win on the board on day one, beating Lakes Entrance 101-79. Korumburra rounded out the winners, accounting for Pakenham 97-77.
Saturday Round 2 winners were Traralgon (94-79 over Maffra), Morwell (73-67 vs Lakes Entrance), Southern Peninsula (99-44 vs Warragul), Wonthgaggi (70-69 vs Korumburra).
Warragul won their Sunday game, beating Korumburra by two, 73-71.
Round 3 winners (most recent) were: Southern Peninsula (109-55 vs Lakes Entrance), Traralgon (87-69 vs Morwell), Wonthaggi (83-74 vs Sale), Maffra (98-82 vs Pakenham). Sunday games featured wins to Traralgon (121-96 vs Southern Peninsula), Moe (92-57 vs Wonthaggi), Warragul (105-62 vs Sale).
Having now covered a few games, if asked to describe what men’s CBL is like I would say: “It’s like footy players playing basketball”.
The women’s competition is also in full swing.
Ten teams are taking part this season, with Wonthaggi the reigning premier.
In a stunning turn of events, the Coasters were defeated in Round 1 by Lakes Entrance, who had finished wooden spooner the previous season.
The Pelicans won 66 to 49, perhaps signalling the start of things to come.
Other Round 1 winners were Warragul (84-34 vs Southern Peninsula), Maffra (77-69 vs Sale and 94-52 vs Wonthaggi), Traralgon (84-43 vs Lakes Entrance on the Sunday), Moe (59-49 vs Warragul) and Korumburra (101-35 vs Pakenham).
In Round 2 results, Korumburra defeated Wonthaggi 58-48, Warragul beat Southern Peninsula 99-50, Traralgon rolled Maffra 77-58 and Korumburra down Warragul 70-57 on the Sunday.
Round 3 winners were: Lakes Entrance (56-53 vs SP), Wonthaggi (70-50 vs Sale), Maffra (78-38 vs Pak), Moe (66-55 vs Wonthaggi on Sun), Traralgon annihilated SP 144 to 49 on Sunday, while Sale won 67 to 52 against Warragul.
