The Douglas Heat basketball club embarked on a road trip to Newman College over the weekend of September 14 and 15, eager to face off against Northern Beaches Heat in a highly anticipated matchup.

The action kicked off on Saturday, September 14, with the boys from both clubs taking the court. The day began on a high note for the Douglas Heat U10s, who bounced back from their previous losses to claim victory in both of their games. 

Meanwhile, the U12 teams, though fielding two squads, faced a challenging battle against a larger and more experienced club. Despite not securing any wins, they showcased their determination and kept the games competitive.

In the U14 division, the boys played two thrilling contests filled with multiple lead changes. Unfortunately, despite their efforts, Northern Beaches proved to have the cardio advantage, narrowly winning both games.

For the U16s, the weekend marked a significant achievement as they were able to field a full team for the first time this year. They took full advantage of this opportunity, dominating their first game from start to finish. 

The second game, however, presented a different challenge. Northern Beaches made strategic adjustments and played a flawless match, ultimately winning the second contest. 

Both teams recognised the improvement displayed by the boys since their last matchup, with coaches remarking, “Overall, win or loss, the boys’ improvement was amazing.”

Sunday, September 15, was time for the girls to seek redemption. The U10s set the tone for the day with a pair of dominant victories, never trailing at any point in their games. 

In the U12 division, the girls faced a tough opponent that included three state-level players. On paper, Northern Beaches held a significant advantage, but on the court, the Douglas Heat girls put up a strong fight, keeping the margin to single digits in both games despite not coming away with a win.

The U14 B-grade team celebrated a milestone by clinching their first victory of the season with a nail-biting 1-point win in their first game, although they faced a challenging loss in their second.

On the other hand, the U14 A-grade team showed no mercy, dominating their matches with a staggering 62-point win in their first game, followed by a 50-point victory in the second. Finally, the U16 girls showcased their experience and skill, posting commanding 30-point wins in both of their games.