Tara Murray
The Sunbury Jets are fine tuning their game plan ahead on the Big V men’s state championship finals.
Having already secured top spot and home court advantage in the first week of the finals, the Jets have been able to tinker with some things.
Coach John White said it had been good to work on a few things and try different combinations.
“The last couple of games we’ve been able to experiment a little bit with guys who haven’t much of a look on court,” he said.
“It’s about getting their feet under. Sometimes you can get caught up with the main rotation guys.
“There’s some guys who have started to step up and show what they can do. It gives us more depth come finals.”
White said Gene Vocale has made the most of limited court time saying every time they call on him, he has an immediate.
He said the experience of Mark Berezdecky had been valuable off the bench.
“He is an x-factor was us,” he said. “He’s a bigger player who can stretch the court and in defence he steps up.
“We will be calling on his experience in finals.”
The last few weeks has also allowed Nathan Baker work his way back into the side from a foot injury. He had come off the bench the first few games after returning.
“His IQ came to the fore on Saturday night,” White said.
On Saturday night, the Jets had a massive 92-57 win against the Blackburn Vikings. For much of the match it didn’t look like it was going to be that way, with the margin 14 points at the last break.
White said with the Vikings already out of finals contention they had nothing to lose.
“It was always going to be a tough one for us,” he said. “We didn’t know what to expect this time of the season.
“The first half was very challenging for us. They threw a few curve balls in defence, but we were able to adjust and push away in the last quarter.
Ish Sanders continued his good form, top scored with 32 points.
The Jets face the Hume City Broncos in the final round of the season. The last time the two teams met, the game was called off after a couple of Broncos fans entered the court.
The two teams might also meet each other in the first week of finals.
“We always love playing against the local council rival,” White said. “The last time it didn’t end how we would have liked, but credit to the players of both teams.
“They’re a tough team and we will give it a good stride without giving away everything.”
The Jets women’s state championship side beat the Chelsea Gulls, 73-57.
After trailing by six points at quarter time the Jets, they started to build were able to take control of the game.
