Geraldton basketball round three: Pumas women demolish Valley, edge them in overtime thriller in men’s comp

Pumas continued their unbeaten streak in the Geraldton Amateur Basketball Association’s women’s top division, with a commanding 81-38 victory over Chapman Valley on Tuesday night. Round three action dished up more fast-paced action, with both the women’s and men’s competitions tightening up as teams jostle for early ladder positions. From the opening whistle, Pumas women dictated the tempo and moved the ball impressively through all four quarters. Millie Gerreyn and Tia Morgan were outstanding for the winners, with Gerreyn leading the scoring with 20 points and acting as the team’s creative spark in attack. Valley battled hard to stay in the contest, with Ruby Bigwood again one of their stand-outs for her tireless defence and rebounding work. Olympians also collected a valuable win, overcoming Trades 56-45 in a contest that was tighter than the score suggested. Olympians’ trio of Milla Samulkiewicz, Sharnee Williamson and Sophie Maines combined well throughout the game, each hitting big shots when needed. Trades looked dangerous in patches, with Samaia Friesen and Miela Friesen both working hard at both ends, while Holly Baynes was a stand-out inside the key, scoring 15 points and leading her side’s offensive push. Pumas sit on top of the ladder, closely followed by Olympians and Trades. Looking ahead to round four, Pumas face Trades on Tuesday night, while Chapman Valley will meet a rested Stateside outfit that will be keen to make their presence felt after sitting out round three. In the men’s division, Trades started the week strong with a solid 93-69 win over Olympians on Monday. Richard Bartlett, Geordie Murray and Jayden Bamford were all in top form for the winners, with Bartlett scoring 16 points and dominating under the rim. Despite the loss, Olympians’ Max De San Miguel produced one of the performances of the round, sinking 27 points and almost single-handedly keeping his side in touch with a determined Trades defence. Tuesday’s clash saw Pumas edge Chapman Valley 85-76 in an overtime thriller. Pumas started strong but Valley surged late to send the match beyond regulation time. Pumas’ Jarrad Mongoo and Denbi Horsman both impressed with sharp shooting and composure in the extra period. For Valley, Elliot Bennett was outstanding, scoring 26 points and keeping his side in the hunt until the final minutes. Stateside ended the round in emphatic style, storming past the Hawks 104-66 on Wednesday night. Tyrone Papertlak Jr led all scorers with 32 points, while teammates Stuart Egan and Raymon Bonney added plenty of offensive firepower. For the Hawks, Dylan Griechen and Xavier Wright battled hard, but Stateside’s dominance on both ends of the court proved too much to handle. After three rounds, Stateside now sit atop the men’s ladder, though Pumas, Trades, and Hawks remain level on points in what is shaping up to be one of the most competitive seasons in recent memory. Round four will see Trades open proceedings against Pumas on Monday, Chapman Valley take on Stateside on Tuesday, and the Hawks clash with Olympians to close out the week on Wednesday.