Despite playing a “shocker”, the Sunbury Jets came away with a win against Keilor Thunder in Big V women’s state championship.
In an ugly physical game, the Thunder kept the pressure on throughout and never let the Jets completely get away.
However, with the margin within five points in the dying minutes, the Jets snuck home 82-75.
Jets’ skipper Chelsea Kereama [Burns] said it wasn’t a great performance from their side.
“They are a very physical team and a very athletic team,” she said.
“We knew it was going to be tough.
“I’m not going to lie, I thought we had a shocker. We had that many turnovers, partly due to their pressure.
“We didn’t adjust to that and let it get into our head, but to come away with the win and be resilient down the line under that sort of pressure, we’re happy to get away with the win.”
The Jets looked to have control for much of the match, leading by as many as 18 points at one stage.
The Thunder came back at them as fatigue set in.
The Jets shooting stood out – they shot 53 per cent from the field and 42 per cent from beyond the arc.
Courtney Duever top scored with 33 points, while Josie Stockill [21 points] and Lynn Leaupepe [20 points] also made good contributions.
Youngsters Emily Conn and Chloe Angove both got minutes on the court.
Kereama was full of praise for both of them.
“They are training the lights out,” she said. “They have come up from youth league last year and are legitimate members of the team now.
“Week in, week out they are showing what they can do.”
Kereama said that they were still unsure when Orla O’Reilly and Jacinta Beckley would arrive following their European commitments.
Meanwhile, the men’s division one side remains undefeated after three rounds.
The Jets looked headed for victory after three quarters, before the Coburg Giants got back into the game. Scores were level at the end of regular time, before the Jets got up 92-89 in overtime.
Ish Sanders top scored with 28 as four of the five starters scored double figures.
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