By Tara Murray
Kyneton Tigers were made to work for a win against the Shepparton Lady Gators in the Country Basketball League north-east women’s competition.
The Tigers showed glimpses of good basketball but weren’t able to deliver it consistently throughout the game.
Some hot shooting from Brooke Mangan got the Tigers over line, winning 63-52.
Tigers coach Chris Tighe said it wasn’t the greatest game, but they were able to come up big when they needed to.
“We got up early in the first quarter and then went away from it in the middle section,” he said. “We went away from what we were doing well.
“Brooke Mangan shot the lights out, hitting three three-pointers in the final quarter and Rachelle [Mangan] hit a three as well.”
Tighe said the Gators made them deviate from their game plan but they were able to show other elements of their game when they needed to.
Photo Gallery: Kyneton Tigers vs Shepparton Lady Gators
“They [Gators] parked themselves inside to keep the ball away from the bigs,” he said.
“I assume that was what their game plan was, to stop our bigs and we didn’t adjust until the last quarter.
“We don’t shoot often [from outside the arc], we normally attack the ring.
“When we shoot from that distance we aren’t a bad side. It’s good to keep sides on their feet.”
Tighe said while they weren’t completely on song in attack, they had a strong defensive game and were able to restrict the Gators.
He said one area that did hurt them was free throw shooting and it would be something they would work on during the week.
With the pressure on the bigs, in the inside it was the talls who were the standouts, according to Tighe.
He said Rebecca Van Kuyk, Molly Greetham and Michelle Fletcher all did great jobs.
Rebecca Van Kuyk led the scorers with 21 points, while Brooke Mangan scored with 17 points.
The win is the Tigers fourth in a row and only the Bendigo Braves and Wodonga Lady Wolves [who have played three less games], sit above them on the ladder.
Tighe said he was happy with the season so far and results had shown it was a close competition.
This week the Tigers face Myrtleford Saints on Saturday night.
“Myrtleford is an unknown,” Tighe said.
“Bendigo in two weeks will be the test. They are a really drilled team that can adjust well. They play together at Big V and VJBL [Victorian Junior Basketball League].
“The goal is to beat Bendigo twice during the season and then in the finals if we face them.
“They’ll be a good test to see where we are at.”
MORE CBL NEWS
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/kyneton-tigers-still-pushing-for-finals/
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/scrappy-game-enough-for-a-welcome-win-for-bacchus-marsh-lions/
