Tara Murray
Lapses in concentration proved costly for the Sunbury Jets in the Big V women’s state championship semi finals on Sunday.
Hosting game one of the best-of-three series against the Bulleen Boomers, the Jets showed when they played well they can beat anyone.
But unable to keep it up for four quarters, the Jets were made to pay, losing 79-70.
Jets coach Ben Draper said they were their worst enemy in the game.
“We started out well,” he said. “But our biggest problem was in lapses in judgement and decisions and they were able to capitalise.
“We were able to make a comeback and we nearly got them, we got it back to six.”
Draper said he was proud of the group how they finished the game, having been down by as many as 20 points at one stage.
He said the match summed up much of how their season has gone.
“That is us,” he said. “We have to do a better job of staying stronger for four quarters.
“To be 20 down and then only trail by six is a tough effort. If we can string it together we will get there.”
Draper said you could look at a number of reasons why they drop momentum, but said in the end they weren’t good enough and they don’t make any excuses.
Maria Jespersen top scored with 24 points, while Emily Coon and Bethany Theodore also scored double figures.
The Jets’ hopes of progressing through the grand final were dealt a blow before the semi final series started.
Ally Stewart, who returned for college midway through the season, was ruled not to have played enough games to qualify for finals.
Draper said Stewart is their best shooter.
The Jets will be back on court on Saturday night in game two at Bulleen and if needed on Sunday in game three.
Draper said nothing changes for them.
“At the start of the week we had to win two games to get into a grand final,” he said.
“At the start of next week [this week] nothing changes, we still have to win to win two games,
“It puts the pressure back on Bulleen. If we can stay together for at least three quarters, we should be able to get the job done.”
The McKinnon Cougars led the other semi final series against Wyndham, 1-0.
