By Tara Murray
Sunbury Jets made it two from two with a big road win against the Warrnambool Seahawks in Big V men’s division 1.
After sneaking home in round one, the Jets backed it up with a hard-fought 71-59 win on Saturday night.
Jets coach Ryan Addison said they couldn’t have asked for a better start.
“It’s the best way to start the season,” he said.
“It’s the first time we’ve done it in my three years I’ve been involved with the program.
“The group we’ve got are very resilient and keep working on things.”
The Jets got off to a flier through import Ish Sanders.
Sanders, who missed last week, hit 17 points in the first quarter. From there the Jets maintained their lead and won two of the remaining three quarters.
“Warrnambool is a big physical team,” Addison said. “We were able to hold it up to get stops when we needed to.”
Sanders finished with 34 points. Addison said Sanders, who has been in Australia for a couple of months, was excited to get back on the court for the Jets. He previously played for the Jets in 2016.
Addison said while Sanders was able to find the scoreboard, they had struggled on the offensive end, with defense the key to their first couple of wins.
He said they weren’t surprised though, as it was a very different side to the one they had last year.
“We’ve got two guys coming back,” he said.
“Most of the guys know each other or know of each other.
“We’ve then got Arthur Trousdell, Ish and Joel Jeffrey, who hasn’t played yet.
“The guys are trying to figure each other out.”
Jeffrey, who is expected to be available this week, will provide more height to the side.
“He’s a big guy from New Zealand who is coming across to try and get an opportunity professionally.
“He’s keen to impress.”
With two wins on the board, the Jets have a good platform to try and launch their season.
This week they play Coburg Giants on Saturday night.
Addison said the more time they have together the better they should be.
“Still a lot of work to do on the offence.
“It’s about getting games under their belts and more training.”
Meanwhile, the women’s side had a massive win against the Warrnambool Mermaids in the state championship division.
The Jets did what they wanted, winning 109-42. All Jets players who suited up took to the court.
Courtney Duever top scored with 28 points, while Lynn Leaupepe scored 21 points coming off the bench.
MORE BIG V NEWS
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/melton-thoroughbreds-hold-nerve/
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/whittlesea-remains-upbeat-after-two-big-losses/
