By Tara Murray
Hume City Broncos were on target in a strong team win against the Werribee Devils in Big V men’s state championship.
The Broncos led for most of the game in the 126-94 win.
In each of the first three quarters, the Broncos exceeded 30 points to open up a big lead.
Thirty-six points up, the Broncos kept the foot down in the last quarter, outscoring the Devils by six points, despite only scoring 27 points.
Broncos coach Matt Foster said it was a good way to return from the break.
“We’re just looking to continue to improve what we are doing,” he said.
“We had a good break and were able to freshen up and we played well.
“We were able to put up a few points when our defence was great in the first half. They started to switch on in the second half.
Every Broncos player got on the court, with seven players scoring double figures.
Jake Martin top scored with 24 points, while Mackuei Puondak had a double-double.
Foster said the spread of scoring was reflective of the way they wanted to play.
It came despite guard Lee Jeka and Daniel Foster missing the game. Both are expected to return this week.
“It’s good as we have the next guy up mentality and everyone is buying in to what we’re doing and accepting their roles.”
Assistant coach Brett Atley took control of the game, with Foster battling the flu and having no voice.
The win is the Broncos sixth in a row and has them sitting nicely in the top four.
The face the top two sides, Casey and McKinnon in the next couples of weeks in a good test of where they are at.
PHOTO GALLERY: Hume City Broncos vs Werribee Devils
The result capped off a good day for the Broncos, with their women’s side beating the Bulleen Boomers in the early game.
The Broncos got off to a strong start and led by 13 points at quarter-time. Both teams struggled to score in the second quarter, before the Broncos stepped it up in the second half to win 89-54.
Four Broncos players scored double figures, led by BreAnna Brock.
It was Nicole Zammit though who was the star. Zammit had a triple-double, with 14 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists.
The Broncos sit third on the ladder.
Meanwhile, Craigieburn Eagles division 1 women’s side, had a 79-65 win against Bellarine Storm.
Jada Buggs top scored with 24 points.
The Eagles men’s side also had a big win, beating the North East Bushrangers 85-59.
Import Damon Smith top scored with 24 points, while he also pulled down 14 rebounds.
All 11 Eagles got onto the court.
It was a tough weekend for the Whittlesea Pacers’ men’s and women’s sides which suffered big losses to the Sunbury Jets and Keilor Thunder respectively.
