Sunbury Jets will have to snap back if they are to keep their season alive after their worst Big V Championship match of the season.
The Jets were soundly beaten by the Knox Raiders in the first game of their best-of-three semi-final series – the final margin surprising most people.
Jets’ coach Kennedy Kereama made no excuses for the 86-57 defeat on Saturday night, saying his team didn’t turn up to play.
“We started really well,” he said.
“But then defensively we weren’t good enough on the night. I don’t think the players executed the scout or the game plan.
“Knox was really good and, credit to them, they were aggressive. The result was part their offence and part our defence.
“It’s very disappointing.”
While only Orla O’Reilly scored double figures with 20 points, it was the defence Kereama found most disappointing.
“I don’t think our players brought it on the night,” he said. “Everything we set up is through defence.
“They scored 86 points which is the most we’ve given up this season.
“We didn’t do a great job and the result reflected that.”
Not all is lost of the Jets who host game two on Saturday night and if needed game three on Sunday.
The winner of the series goes through to the grand final series.
Kereama is confident the side will bounce back and play their style of basketball this week.
“The week off hurt us and we lost a bit of momentum,” he said.
“We will be ready and we know we are good enough to match it with the best teams in the competition.
“You have to bring your A-grade game every week. Honestly, any of the top six teams could have won it. You look at the teams which were knocked out last week, Hume and Ringwood, and they are really good sides.
“We need to regroup and be more hungry.”
The Jets’ youth league women’s side is through to the division 2 grand final, but needed three games to get the job done.
After winning game one against Southern Peninsula Sharks 59-39 last weekend, the Jets had a lot tougher job on Saturday night.
Trailing for much of the game, the Jets fell short by one point, losing 54-53. They bounced back on Sunday to claim game three and a grand final spot 62-35.
In other news, the Sunbury Basketball Association will host a pre-season invitational match on September 9 from 7.30pm.
The Melbourne Boomers will play a side made up Big V, SEABL and possibly former Australian Opals players.
Kereama will coach the invitational side which will take on the country’s best player Liz Cambage.
For more on the youth league girls semi-final series win, go to starweekly.com.au/sports
