Tara Murray
Continuity and a consistent squad are among the keys for the Kyneton Tigers in the Basketball Victoria Country Basketball League north-west season.
The Tigers sit third after six rounds of the nine round season with four wins from their five matches.
With the core group having been together since day one, it has shone through this season as they have pinned together a number of wins.
Coach Kim Strawhorn said for the group they were just keen to get out on the court each week, with a couple of byes and weather cancellations meaning it’s been a stop start season.
Strawhorn said the group had really stuck together during the breaks and had trained pretty hard.
“The girls are pretty fit at the moment,” he said. “We’ve trained straight through.”
He said the one loss they’ve had, against the Bendigo Braves, was a match they should have won after controlling the match for the most part.
The side rebounded with a win against the Melton Thoroughbreds the following day which was very pleasing for Strawhorn.
Alex Strawhorn came back into the side for those two matches and looked confident out there once she had a game under her belt.
On Saturday, they faced the Echuca Pirates.
Speaking before the game, Strawhorn said they were just glad to take to the court considering everything that has been happening in Echuca.
“It’s been pretty tough for Echuca and it looked like it would possibly be cancelled at one stage, so it’s nice to get out there and play.
“We’re grateful to have an opportunity to do that with the conditions. They’ve got some quality players and it’s nice for them to have a bit of normality and get back on the court.”
Against the Pirates, the match was close throughout the first three quarters, with the Tigers leading by two points at the final break.
While the Tigers only had eight players, they had plenty of legs in the final quarter as they finished the match on a 30-8 run to win 82-56.
Jessica Mangan top scored with 22 points, while Michelle Fletcher, Alex Strawhorn and Adrienne Cameron also scored double figures.
With only three rounds remaining, the season is starting to get to the pointy end. The Tigers this week face the Bacchus Lions and the Maryborough Lady Blazers.
Strawhorn said the focus of playing finals had been the goal pre-season and it remains that way.
“With such a short season we were looking to play finals at the start as it gives a few more games to play together.”
The Tigers men lost to Echuca 69-57 on Saturday.
