A poor first quarter proved costly for the Sunbury Jets in the Big V Women’s state championship division.
Facing ladder leaders Knox Raiders, the Jets had the chance to test themselves against the pace setters, but didn’t play their best basketball.
The Jets were quickly down by 15 points and weren’t able to recover, losing 78-68.
Jets’ coach Kennedy Kereama said the scoreboard reflected the way the two sides played on the night.
“I think it’s always a pretty tough game when you’re playing Knox,” he said.
“To beat a team like that you have to be playing your best basketball and we didn’t play our best basketball.
“They played really well early and they couldn’t miss.”
Josie Stockill top-scored with 26 points, while Orla O’Reilly and Elyce Penaluna both scored double figures.
New recruit Kerryn Harrington stepped onto the court with the Jets for the first time.
Harrington, who represented Australia at under age level, joined the Jets as a replacement for Monique Stevens, who will miss the rest of the season due to pregnancy.
Kereama said Harrington, who only played a couple of minutes, would be a good inclusion for the side.
“She wasn’t meant to be on the court this week,” he said. “We played her to qualify her.
“We had a working relationship before in the SEABL [South Eastern Australian Basketball League].
“She’s a superb athlete that has fallen in our lap.
“We’ve missed a pure point guard for most of the season. She has a high basketball IQ and is a really great person to have around.”
Kereama said Harrington’s Victorian Football League commitments would only impact her for one game.
The Jets currently sit 5-5 having had an up and down start to the season.
Kereama said they were hoping for a better second half to the season.
“We are now at a point where we are settled,” he said. “With a settled group and full squad, hopefully the consistency will come.”
The Jets face Southern Peninsula Sharks on Sunday.
The match will be a big one for Sharon Plichta, who will play her 350th state league game.
Meanwhile, the men’s side had a good win against Collingwood All Stars in division 1.
After trailing by five points at half-time, the Jets outscored the All Stars in the second half by 11 points to get the 84-78 win. Skipper Jacob Formosa top-scored for the Jets with 22 points.
They face Chelsea Gulls this week.
