Whittlesea Pacers and Diamond Valley Eagles do battle on Friday night, at the same time joining forces for a good cause.
After the success of last year’s Good Friday clash, the two men’s sides will again play in a stand-alone game this Friday to raise money for the annual Royal Children’s Hospital appeal.
Pacers’ men’s coach Ross Moll said this year will also include a battle between the teams’ women’s sides, which are now in the same division.
The women’s match will kick off at 5.30pm at Diamond Valley, with the men’s game starting at 7.30pm. All money raised on the night goes to the appeal.
“It had a great reaction,” Moll said. “There was a lot of support last year and the girls are keen to get involved as well. We raised more than $2000 and we’re hoping to raise more this year.
“It’s something the two clubs really support and, hopefully, being the only matches for the weekend, other people will get down and watch.”
Both Pacers’ sides will be hoping for their first wins of the season against the Eagles, after first-up losses against Hume City Broncos.
On Saturday night, the Broncos dominated the game from start to finish, winning 98-70.
Missing import Chris Kaba, the Pacers were no match for Hume City, which spread the load around so everyone had good court time.
Lincoln Garfirth was top-scorer for the Pacers, with 15. Matt Bongetti was the only other Pacers player to hit double figures.
For the Broncos, all but one player got on the scoreboard. Jamal Brown top-scored with 20, while new recruit Gak Laat hit 18 points.
In its first match in state championship division, the women’s side was easily beaten by last year’s grand finalists.
The Broncos kept the Pacers to just 12 points in the first half, and kept the pressure on in the second half to win 81-31.
Emmie O’Nial was the only player in double figures for the Pacers with 10 points. For the Broncos, Samara Gallaher top-scored with 23 points, while Colleen Planeta scored 18 points and had 19 rebounds coming off the bench.
Meanwhile, Craigieburn had mixed results to start the Big V season.
In women’s division 1, Craigieburn and Western Port struggled to hit the scoreboard, with the Eagles getting the points in a low-scoring 47-46 result.
Craigieburn, in the second half, nailed just 14 points and made three of 14 shots from the free throw line.
Kellie Bailey-Lynn top-scored for the Eagles with 12 points.
The men’s division 2 side lost to a Mornington side containing former NBL player Adam Ballinger.
He was the difference with a double-double including 40 points in his side’s 76-65 win. For the Eagles, Robert Toller-Bond top-scored with 19 points.
