By Tara Murray
A late Kyneton Tigers comeback fell short against the Castlemaine Cannons in the Country Basketball League north-west competition on the weekend.
The final margin was just three points, but for much of the game the Tigers didn’t look likely to win.
They trailed by as much as 27 points just before half time, before working back into the game.
Ultimately they would fall short, losing 67-64. Tigers coach Ash Clarke said it was a disappointing result.
“It was a little bit too late,” he said. “We let them get too far away from us. Another minute we would have had them.”
Clarke said they upped the pace after half time and backed in the shooters as they looked to get back into the game.
“We never gave up,” he said. “Iggy [Spiller] he led the way along with Louis [Bongiovanni] and Tom Scott,” he said.
“Matt Paterson stepped up in the second half.” The loss sums up the Tigers season which held a lot of promise, but has seen them miss finals again.
They sit seventh with four wins with one match remaining.
Clarke said overall it had been a disappointing season, with the side hoping to make finals for the first time.
“We had too many games without our full roster and it hurt. When it’s that close if you don’t have your full roster you are going to feel it.”
Clarke said there had been some positive signs going forward especially with a couple of their younger players.
Josh Greetham, who is still playing under-18s, has stepped up, as has Paterson, who is one to watch going forward.
Clarke said the inclusion of Spiller had been a great one.
Kyneton finishes their season on Saturday night at home against finals bound Maryborough Blazers.
It will be part of a double header with the women’s side.
The women’s side’s finals fate is on the line, with them needing a win and hoping the result of a postponed match goes their way.
The Tigers, who sit bottom in the north-west competition, face third placed Maryborough Blazers.
