It was a mixed start to the season for the Sunbury Jets in the Big V state championship competition.
The Jets men started the season with a win, while the under strength women’s side suffered a first up loss.
The men’s side, which were runners-up last season, started this year against the Blackburn Vikings on Sunday.
After leading by six points at quarter time, the Jets ramped it up in the middle two quarters to lead by 29 points at the last break.
The Vikings won the last quarter, but the damage had been done with the Jets winning 96-68.
Ish Sanders showed no rust with 33 points to lead the way for the Jets.
Every Jets player took to the court, with all but one player hitting the scoreboard.
The Jets women faced the McKinnon Cougars in their first match of the season on Sunday.
Missing several key players, the Jets were made to pay for two poor quarters.
The Jets led by one point at quarter time, but scored just six points in the second quarter to trail by that margin at the half.
The margin increased to nine points in the third quarter. The Jets weren’t able to finish it off, with the Cougars winning the last quarter to blow out the margin.
The Jets struggled from deep, missing all 18 three point attempts.
Darcy Saunders in her Jets debut top scored with 15, the only player to hit double figures.
Bianca Babic and Chloe Hilderband also made their debuts for the Jets, having played for Keilor Thunder in the National Basketball League 1 South competition last season.
Import Ida Andersson and Nicole Cameron both missed the match, while the Jets second import is yet to arrive.
The Jets host the Hume City Broncos on Sunday in round two in both the men’s and women’s matches.
The Broncos women suffered a first up loss, while the men’s team started with two wins.
The Jets youth league division 1 side had a tough start to the season, losing to McKinnon 95-59.
Cara Beattie top scored with 13 points, while Grace Cooper had 11 points.
Sunbury’s youth league men’s division 2 team had a mixed start to the season.
They lost to Albury Wodonga Bandits 64-59, before backing up with an 110-51 win against the Wangaratta North East Bushrangers.
Seven players scored double figures in the big win, led by Owen Stephens with 21 points.
