Tara Murray
The Macedon Ranges Rockies fate remains in their own hands in the Basketball Victoria Country Basketball League men’s north-west.
The Rockies, who have the bye on the weekend, have a 2-3 record, with three rounds remaining in the season.
With some matches abandoned, including the Rockies match with Echuca due to the recent flooding, the run home has started to hot up.
Rockies coach Michael Ryan said they were still keen on making it through to a second straight finals appearance.
“With all the storms and damage up north, not everyone will play nine games, including us.
“We understand that and the league has said as finals are concerned it will be decided on win-loss percentage.
“For us we just have to keep winning and be consistent. We have three games left and if we win them it will take us to 5-3 and our best chance of playing finals.
“If we keep winning the matter is in our own destiny and we’re not relying on other results.”
Ryan said it had been an up and down season for the side. They had been able to beat the teams below them on the ladder, but fell short against who Ryan calls the best three teams in the competition.
“We seem to take two steps forward and then one step back,” he said. “The mood is still really good.
“Matt Quinn is injured and that’s a massive loss for us. He had played every game since being part of the game with Kyneton and now Macedon.
“To beat Bendigo without him and Tom Scott was an awesome effort.
“Castlemaine is a really good side. To lose by only five points we’re disappointed, but excited for the future.”
Ryan said some of the younger players like Josh Greetham were given a good opportunity against a really talented opposition.
He said the addition of Josh O’Connell to the squad in recent weeks had been really important, adding some more talent and leadership to the group.
In the Rockies most recent game he shot eight threes on the way to 31 points.
Overall, he said the group had really improved this season with a number of young players in the group.
The Rockies next week face Mildura Heat on Saturday night and then the Swan Hill Flyers the following day, both matches on the road.
The women’s side also had the bye and will face Mildura and Swan Hill the following week.
