Tara Murray
It’s a family affair for the Kyneton Tigers in the Basketball Victoria Country Basketball League women’s north-west this season.
The Tigers have two sets of sisters in their team this year, along with the mother-daughter combination of Michelle Fletcher and Jazmine Young.
Tigers coach Kim Strawhorn said this was what country basketball is about.
“We’re in the unique position with the girls that they are all local players and juniors at Kyneton right from the start,” he said.
“We had two young girls in the side. Jazmine played her first game and she’s only 13 and we had to get an exemption for her to play.
“Michelle Fletcher is her mother. This is what it is about, them being able to play together in the senior league.”
Strawhorn said Young didn’t look out of place, saying it was quite easy to forget that she was just 13. He said was incredible to still have Fletcher, who won several awards at higher levels, still playing for the Tigers.
With Hayley and Adele Rogers, and Brooke, Jess and Rachelle Mangan, Strawhorn said it was like a family at the club.
The Tigers got off to the perfect start, winning both matches in the opening round of the season.
They started with a 90-67 win against the Mildura Heat before backing it up the following day, beating the Swan Hill Flyers, 75-39.
In both games the Tigers took control in the second half to run away with the big wins.
Strawhorn was happy with how they started the season with both matches on the road.
“It was a big road trip and a lot of travel, so it makes it worthwhile,” he said.
“With the shorter season to go two from two you would be happy with that start. You can’t get much better.”
The Tigers have a bye on the weekend. In round three they face the Melton Thoroughbreds, one of the new teams in the competition,
Strawhorn said the bye would allow one of their injured players another week to recover.
Having previously had some success in the competition including making a grand final, Strawhorn said it was pretty simple for them this season. The season has been condensed and will be finished before Christmas.
“Hopefully we can be competitive and have a bit of fun along the way.”
The Tigers men’s side which lost its opening two matches also had a bye on the weekend.
