By Tara Murray
Sunbury Jets have taken a 1-0 lead in the Big V women’s youth league division 1 grand final series after a thrilling game one.
The Jets and Keilor Thunder have been the best two sides all season, and they showed why on Saturday night.
The teams traded the lead throughout the game and down to the dying minutes.
A Chloe Angove three point shot in the dying seconds put the Jets in front, with just one more opportunity for the Thunder.
A rushed three point shot fell short, giving the Jets the 78-75 win.
Jets coach Andrew Seidel said he couldn’t believe the result, or the game, in front of a big home crowd.
“It was amazing,” he said.
“I mentioned after the game it was a credit to both teams and both associations,” he said.
“That is what people want to come and watch. Fortunately for us we were able to get the chocolates.
“It was a battle of attrition.”
Seidel said the momentum swung constantly throughout the game, with individuals stepping up when they were needed.
He said he thought the game may have been theirs with a couple of minutes to go.
“[But] They hit back and hit a couple of massive baskets.
“Credit to our coaching panel with our set plays.”
One of those set plays was to get Angove free for the three point shot. It worked and Angove hit what would be the winning basket.
“It couldn’t have been in better hands,” Seidel said.
Angove, who is a big-game player, was the standout for the Jets with 26 points and 10 rebounds.
Seidel said she started the game slowly before a strong second half.
“Credit to the girl, she was outstanding … great players just step up,” he said.
“She didn’t have the best game in the first half, and I said to her ‘give us something,’ and she did.”
Ally Stewart contributed 14 points off the bench, while Brodie Theodore scored 11 points.
The Jets now head to Keilor for game two, and if needed game three this weekend.
Seidel said that he believes getting that first win is massive in the best of three finals series.
The youth league girls side won’t be the only one in action this weekend, with the Jets’ state championship women starting their grand final series.
The Jets will play Southern Peninsula, which defeated Knox Raiders 60-59 on Saturday night.
Game one will be played at Southern Peninsula, with game two and if needed, game three both at Sunbury.
