By Tara Murray
Sunbury Jets will enter the Big V women’s state championship finals on the back of an eight-game winning streak after beating McKinnon Cougars on Saturday night.
With third spot already sewn up and their finals opponent known, the Jets were keen to continue to play good basketball against the Cougars.
And coach Kennedy Kereama was happy with the 70-58 win.
It was the second quarter that proved the difference, with the Jets outscoring the Cougars 18-7.
“The one thing to remember, McKinnon pushed Knox last week to a single figure margin,” Kereama said.
“They are a well coached side and have some WNBL players. It was a really good, competitive game.
“The scoreline probably could have been more, but we rotated some players through towards the end.”
Kereama said it was good to give Emily Conn some good minutes ahead of finals.
Conn played nearly 13 minutes, the most she’s played in a game this season.
Four Jets players scored double figures, led by Elyse Penaluna, who scored 20 points.
It’s a strength that Kereama hopes they can continue throughout the finals.
The Jets enter the finals as the form team of the competition.
Coming off two straight titles, one division 1 and one state championship, Kereama had always said the side wouldn’t play its best basketball until later in the season.
“Obviously we’ve been playing well at the back end of the season,” he said. “But finals are a little bit of a different beast.
“We’re closer to the point of where we want to be, but I’m never completely happy.”
The Jets this week play Waverley Falcons in a qualifying final. No matter the result, the Jets will progress through to the second week of finals.
Kereama said the group was excited to get to the pointy end of the season again.
He said the league this year was tougher than last year’s competition.
“For us, we’ve known we’ve been playing Waverley for the last week,” he said.
“That’s two weeks to prepare for them, so we have a good scout on them and good game plan.
“Waverley has played some really good basketball this season. I think it will be a tough, close match that will come down to the wire.”
Meanwhile, the Jets men’s side finished the division 1 season with a win against the Bulleen Boomers.
The Jets came from behind at three-quarter time to win 72-67. The Jets outscored the Boomers 25-15 in the final period.
Arthur Trousdell top-scored with 21 points for the Jets as four other players scored double figures.
The Jets finished in 11th position with six wins for the season.
