Werribee Devils earned a split on a doubleheader weekend in Big V basketball men’s state championship.
The Devils went down the Princes Highway on Saturday night to claim a 91-83 victory over Corio Bay Stingrays at the Geelong Basketball Netball Centre.
On Sunday, the Devil lost to Casey Cavaliers 105-101 in a thriller at Eagle Stadium.
Werribee’s victory over Corio Bay had a lot to do with three men – imports Konor Kulas and Bryan Nagy and captain Paul Elderkin.
Kulas has been on fire for the Devils since his arrival. He is averaging 29.4 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists.
A huge 29-point, 10 rebound game against the Stingrays was bang on his season average.
He was aggressive in the paint, getting to the line 19 times for 13 makes.
Nagy stuffed the stat sheet in his 17-point, six-rebound game. He landed two threes to go with four steals and four blocks.
Elderkin was dangerous on offence, scoring 22 points to go with five assists. He finished with three three-pointers.
On Sunday, Werribee fell just short in an epic against Casey.
Kulas went one better than his Saturday exploits, piling on 35 points to go with 10 rebounds, four steals and three assists.
It was a big afternoon for Deng Chan, who scored 28 points in just 24 minutes.
Chan got hot from outside the arc, dropping four threes.
Elderkin was also influential, with 12 points and six rebounds.
Werribee (2-3) will face Hawthorn Magic (2-2) at Eagle Stadium on Saturday night and Waverley Falcons (3-2) on Sunday at the Waverley Basketball Centre.
In women’s division 1, Werribee Devils went down 72-63 to Mildura Heat at the Toyota Hothouse on Saturday night.
Sam Moodie was the standout for the Devils with 18 points and 15 rebounds, while captain Jess Slade had 15 points and 11 rebounds.
The Devils (1-4) will face Chelsea Gulls (3-2) at Patterson River Stadium on Saturday night.
