By Tara Murray
A late Sunbury Jets’ comeback fell short against the Hume City Broncos in the opening round of the Big V women’s state championship.
Playing each other in the season-opener for a second straight year, it was the Broncos who came away with the points.
The Jets trailed most of the game and fought hard to reduce the margin to two points in the final quarter but the Broncos remained composed and held on to win, 84-80.
Jets’ coach Kennedy Kereama said while they would have liked a first-up win, there were still a lot of positives.
He said Hume was shaping up as one of the teams to beat this season.
“It was a good game of basketball,” he said.
“Both teams played a good game and shot at a good clip. They shot at 55 per cent and we shot at 46 per cent, so it was a good game for the spectators.
“We got ourselves into a position to steal it, but had lapses at the wrong time especially in the defensive end.
“We still shot 80 points and are still missing two important pieces of the puzzle.”
Lynn Leaupepe top scored in her first game for the Jets, with 22 points. Courtney Duever, Josie Stockill and Courtenay Wragg all scored double figures as well.
Photo Gallery: Sunbury Jets vs Hume City Broncos
Kereama said it was a good debut performance from Leaupepe.
“It’s her first season as a pro,” he said. “It’s good for her to contribute and make an impact straight away.”
The Jets are yet to show all the cards in their hand, with last year’s Big V all-star and grand final most valuable player Orla O’Reilly and recruit Jacinta Beckley both missing the game due to basketball commitments in Europe.
Kereama said it was a waiting game to find out when they will be in Sunbury colours,
“Hopefully it’s sooner than later,” he said.
“We still had enough talent to compete and have the opportunity to win last night.”
Kereama would not rule out further additions to the side down the track.
He said they still had a bit to work on as the season progresses, but like last season they were keen to make sure they were playing their best basketball towards the end of the season.
The Jets men’s side started the division 1 season with a determined win against the Bulleen Boomers.
Despite missing star import Ish Sanders, the Jets came from behind at three-quarter time to win 69-65.
The Jets won the last quarter 17-6.
Ivanne Loncaric top scored with 21 points and he also had 11 rebounds.
MORE BIG V NEWS
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/melton-thoroughbreds-come-firing/
