The Sunbury Jets started their Big V women’s state championship defence in perfect fashion with a strong win against Hume City Broncos on Saturday night.
The Jets set the win up in the first half, dominating the first two quarters and had what proved to be a match-winning lead at the main break.
The Jets came out of the blocks firing and were quickly out to a 13-point lead at quarter-time. They continued their form in the second quarter to extend the margin.
The Broncos didn’t go away, restricting the Jets to just nine points in the third quarter, but couldn’t put the points on the board themselves to put a real dint in the margin.
The Broncos continued to push, but it was too little too late, as the Jets won 69-55.
Orla O’Reilly top-scored with 23 points, while Chelsea Burns and Josie Stockill also scored double figures for the new-look Jets.
Former Australian Opal Elyce Penaluna scored eight points in her debut for the Jets.
The Jets announced the signing of Penaluna during the week.
Jets’ coach Kennedy Kereama said before Saturday night’s match they were excited to have signed someone of Penaluna’s ability to the side.
“We’re rapt,” he said of signing the 193-centimetre forward.
“I’ve spoken to her and we’ve said we don’t want to rely on her every game to be a superstar.
“In some games she will be, but our team understands the strength of our team is we don’t have to rely on one player and we will have different players stand up.
“The girls will be better for the experience that she brings.”
Penaluna spent last season playing for the Melbourne Tigers in the South East Australian Basketball League, after a few injury riddled years in the Women’s National Basketball League.
She played with Melbourne Boomers and Bendigo Spirit in the WNBL.
Kereama, who coached against Penaluna in the WNBL and as the New Zealand Tall Ferns coach, said he was encouraged by what he had seen on the practice court.
“We’re hoping she will have a great season,” he said.
“I’ve seen her when she was at her best and she looks like she’s moving fine. We’re not relying on her to play 30 plus minutes every game.
“The playing group is excited. Chels [Chelsea Burns] has played with her before and you can see that connection on the court.
“Courtenay Wragg has had some experience with being around a team with her too.”
The Jets’ men’s side lost both their matches.
On Saturday night, the Jets were easily accounted for by Warrandyte Venom 97-58 and then lost to Chelsea Gulls 113-84 on Sunday.
