Tara Murray
The Sunbury Jets know every possession matters after four losses in a row by less than five points in the Big V men’s state championship.
The Jets have been in every game, but just haven’t been able to get over the line in a number of close ones.
Jets coach Nathan Heywood said the close results had been pretty frustrating.
“We certainly are looking at every little detail,” he said. “It is a frustrating thing right at the moment.
“We are in every single match. There’s lapses in concentration and they end up scoring off turnovers.”
Heywood said they have the capability to turn things around. He said with a new group and him in his first season coaching the side, it will take some time.
“Everyone has strengths and capabilities,” he said. “It’s just about finding the right combinations.”
Heywood said one area they were working on was using their experience and making sure they had the right people on the court at the right times.
Even though games have been on the line, the Jets have been able to get some young players on the court.
He said they had earned their chances and were making the most of them.
One that has impressed Heywood is Sonny Maxwell.
“He’s from our under-18 program and he’s been playing some clutch minutes the last couple of weeks.
“He’ll be out for some time with an injury, but there’s other local talent coming through as well.”
The Jets face the McKinnon Cougars this Saturday.
Heywood said it was a good opportunity for the group to bounce back.
“It’s our annual Dohmen-Jolly charity round.
“We’re talking on one of the sides that might be up there competing with us. They beat us in round one and hopefully we can reverse the result.”
It’ll be a busy few weeks for Heywood who is coach of the Jets under-18 boys team that has qualified for the National Junior Classic.
Just 16 teams in each age group across a number of states are selected for the tournament on the long weekend.
“This team made the classic last year [in under-16s] and were the first team in 30 years to make it,” he said.
“They are now the first team in the 50 years of the association to make it twice.
“There is so much junior talent in the team and I’m privileged to be able to be part of it.
“There’s four state players and two reserves.. They are highly talented. They are predominantly bottom age, bodes well for next year too.”
Heywood said they took no expectations for the group at the event and to just have fun.
“The boys are doing us proud.”
