By Tara Murray
Sunbury Jets’ dream run in the Big V women’s competition has continued with the side claiming a third straight championship.
The Jets won a division 1 championship and then the state championship title in the past two seasons, and made it two straight state championship titles on Saturday night.
For coach Kennedy Kereama the win wasn’t just for the playing group but for the association as a whole.
“It feels great and I’m really proud of the girls,” Kereama said.
“It’s a club milestone and it’s been a really good year for the entire association, especially the women’s program.
“It’s absolutely fantastic.”
The Jets needed just two games of the grand final series against Southern Peninsula Sharks to get the job done.
After a big win in game one last weekend, the Jets held off a fast-finishing Sharks outfit to win 72-69 on Saturday night.
The close result didn’t look likely in the first half, with the Jets leading by as much as 21 points.
Kereama said he expected the Sharks to make at least a run, if not more than one during the game.
And he wasn’t wrong.
“We prepped the girls to weather a few storms from the Sharks. We had a 20-point margin and they cut it right down.
“They’re a very quality side and they did what they were good at. When they shoot well they are hard to stop.”
With the Sharks coming at them, the Jets focused on trying to do what they had done in the first half of the game.
The Sharks got as close as one point with five seconds to go but the Jets’ experienced players stood strong.
Kereama said the Jets focused on two key areas to help get the win.
“To get to the foul line – there was a big focus on that,” he said.
“We missed some foul shots, but we made them when they needed to be made.
“The other was rebounds. I think we were out rebounded in the end, but we were good in the first half.
“We were also able to execute some plays down the stretch. It’s better to be in the driver’s seat.”
Orla O’Reilly top-scored with 22 points, while Kerryn Harrington chipped in with 21 points.
Kereama said both had really good games.
O’Reilly was named the grand final most valuable player. It comes after she was announced as a finalist in the state league women’s most valuable player award.
Kereama said O’Reilly had been massive for the club over the past two years.
“She’s consistent and played every single game,” he said.
“She’s had a great season and we’re blessed that the players we’re bringing in are buying into the program.
“They’ve given back some unbelievable basketball.”
The title was the first for several of the playing group.
Kereama said that the playing group made it easy for players coming into the club to fit in with ease.
Chelsea Burns is the only player to play in all three grand final series.
Having won three titles in three years, Kereama said the focus was on continuing to bring young talent through the club.
Not only has the women’s side won three straight titles, the club’s youth league women’s side has won two straight titles after sealing the division one championship last weekend.
The youth league side will move up to the championship division next season. It’s been a rapid rise in the competition, with the team playing in the bottom tier just last year.
For more pictures of game two and the celebrations, CLICK HERE
