Tara Murray
The Sunbury Jets continue to take everything thrown at them on and off the court in their stride in the Big V men’s state championship division.
The Jets sit second on the ladder with just one loss to Wyndham, despite not having their full squad available for any game.
Many of the matches have been convincing wins with the Jets sharing the load around.
Jets coach John White said they were thrilled with the start of the season.
“The guys are going well, we’re playing well,” he said. “The group has really gelled and everyone gets along.
“We’ve had a run of COVID and flu the last few weeks. Everyone has stepped up and played the roles needed of them.
“For me as a coach it has been an easy transition.”
The Jets were again in fine form on Sunday, as they beat the Camberwell Dragons.
After a slow start, the Jets won the last three quarters to win 95-75.
It was Ish Sanders who led the way with 32 points. Sanders, in his return to the Jets, has been a standout this season.
He is averaging nearly 26 points, the most in the division.
White said Sanders was the well deserved recipient of the first player of the month award.
“He has come back and picked up where he left off,” he said.
“He goes about it with minimum fuss and the result is a by-product of how hard he works.
“There is no ego. He’s the first one to tap his teammate on the shoulder and say well done.
“We hope it continues and we get wins as a by-product.
White said they were hoping that this week they would finally have the full squad on court.
With only a loss to the ladder leaders, White said they are in a good position.
He said the game against Wyndham, which he missed due to COVID, was one they had written off.
“Everyone is finding their roles in the group,” he said. “We’re excited to see the whole squad out there after all the work they’ve put in.
“With our full squad we think we will be right up there.”
Meanwhile, the Jets’ women’s side gave a glimpse of what they can do on Saturday night against the Hume City Broncos.
With import Maria Jespersen making her debut, the Jets dominated in the 106-73 win.
Jespersen had 33 points, while fellow import Isa Andersson had 34 points.
The win was the Jets third of the season.
Tara Murray
