MAFFRA recorded two 32-point victories over local rival Sale on the opening night of the Country Basketball League season on Saturday.
The two CBL matches capped off a big day of basketball at the Gippsland Regional Sports Complex, with the associations’ respective junior teams playing practice games ahead of the representative season.
THE Maffra women had a 71-39 victory.
Back-to-back 18-point quarters put the Eagles in a good position, with the visitors leading 36-14 at half-time. A 21-12 third quarter extinguished any hope the Sonics had of toppling the Eagles.
Sienna Wynd was a stand-out for Maffra, scoring 24 points, and was supported by Meg Fitt, who scored 11, and Ciara Fitt, 10. Cassie and Jayme Davis both scored 10 points for the Sonics.
THE men’s match was won by Maffra 85-53.
The Eagles jumped out of the gate, taking a 25-3 lead into quarter-time. The visitors had another 20-plus quarter in the second to lead 52-16 at the half.
After a more even third quarter, the Sonics had the better of the final term, out-scoring the Eagles 22-17, but the damage had already been done.
Byron Sandeman top-scored for Maffra with 20 points, while teammates Sam Whelan and Phoenix Cox scored 17 and 10 respectively. Luke Williams led the Sale scoring with 13.
ON Sunday afternoon, Sale lost at Traralgon 122-74.
The T-Birds out-scored the Sonics in each quarter, beginning by piling on 43 points to 14 in the first. The margin for each quarter got smaller as the game progressed, but Traralgon was too good, winning by 48.
Zac Bezzina scored 24 points and Oliver Becker 20 for the T-Birds, while, for Sale, Tafara Chiripanhura scored 17 and Jake Hutchins 16.
THIS Sunday, the Maffra women and men will travel to Korumburra for afternoon matches, while Sale has the bye.
Round one results:
Men’s: Bairnsdale 58-76 Moe, Morwell 82-88 Traralgon, Sale 53-85 Maffra, Lakes Entrance 42-59 Korumburra, Warragul 68-109 Pakenham, Traralgon 122-74, Wonthaggi bye; ladder: Traralgon 6, Maffra 3 (160.38 per cent), Pakenham 3 (160.29), Korumburra 3 (140.48), Moe 3 (131.03), Sale 2, Morwell 1 (93.18), Bairnsdale 1 (76.32), Lakes Entrance 1 (71.19), Warragul 1 (62.39), Wonthaggi 0.
Women’s: Sale 39-71 Maffra, Lakes Entrance 35-115 Korumburra, Warragul 82-44 Pakenham, Moe, Morwell and Wonthaggi bye; ladder: Korumburra 3 (328.57), Warragul 3 (186.36), Maffra 3 (182.05), Sale 1 (54.93), Pakenham 1 (53.66), Lakes Entrance 1 (30.43), Moe 0, Morwell 0, Wonthaggi 0.
