Aces Navy throw spanner in the works against Tornadoes Black

Reigning women’s premiers Tornadoes Black lost further ground behind league leaders Aces Sky after being upset by Aces Navy 67-59 last Friday night at the South West Sports Centre. Aces Navy, who have been a real surprise packet of the Bunbury Basketball Association this season, began brilliantly, constructing a solid 9-3 offensive run. Predictably, with so much experience to draw from, Tornadoes Black gradually worked their way back into the game, with Ebony Bilcich getting a hot hand offensively towards the back end of the opening quarter. But with the game up for grabs, Aces Navy youngster Alexis Donovan was able to break the game open. One glance at the stats sheet will indicate Donovan finished with nine points. But all of these points were generated from three successful shots from downtown — all of which landed when the reigning champions looked as though they had momentum in their back pockets. This offensive brilliance appeared to spur on the plucky debutants, who while playing some inspired basketball, extended the lead beyond double digits. In recording their fifth victory of the season, Aces Navy’s hopes of an unlikely finals appearance in their inaugural season are very much alive. Following an indifferent start to the season, Tornadoes Red have barely skipped a beat since, and made it five wins on the bounce after outlasting the Dunsborough Oilers 47-42. Cian Parsons again set a solid example for her teammates inside the paint, while Jasmine Barrett was able to get to the free throw line a lot for her side. The Tornadoes Red men’s juggernaught shows no sign of slowing down, after Sean Tilbrook’s side easily took care of the Dunsborough Oilers 93-76, with all but one player notching up double figures. Round 15 fixtures (played Tuesday night at the South West Sports Centre) A-Men: 6.30pm Bulls Gold v Dunsborough Oilers; 8pm Aces Sky v Bulls Maroon, Tornadoes Black v Eaton Eagles A-Women: 6.30pm Tornadoes Red v Aces Sky, Tornadoes Black v Eaton Eagles; 8pm Bulls v Dunsborough Oilers