A BLISTERING five-minute block at the start of the fourth quarter has seen the Werribee Devils motor away from the Chelsea Gulls for a 90-61 win in the Big V women’s division 2.
Devils coach Lloyd Klaman told the Weekly it was the most breathtaking basketball his team has played all season.
“Instead of being stop-start, we ran and ran,” he said.
“We were forcing turnovers and getting easy baskets because we running so hard. It was their best five minutes of basketball for the year.”
The league-leading Devils have a 5-0 record to start the season.
This is due to their balance line-up with the starters setting the tone, the bench doing a power of work and those on the outer creating competition for spots.
“It’s a battle for the 10th, 11th and 12th spots in the team,” Klaman said.
“Training has become like a war.
“When you’re 5-0, it’s hard to drop someone.”
Young Devils such as guard Alex Moss, athletic forward Kennedy Taylor and shooting guard Olivia Klaman are commanding minutes.
It is lightening the work load on veterans Lisa Troyahn and Emma Coyne and giving the youngsters invaluable minutes in key parts of the game.
“It’s not just the minutes, it’s the type of minutes they’re getting which is important,” Klaman said. “The kids are playing through some rough situations and they’re getting a chance to play with the starters.
“It’s a steep learning curve.”
Troyahn and Coyne are still logging big numbers on reduced minutes.
Troyahn was a monster inside the key with 24 points and 17 rebounds in 24 minutes, while Coyne posted 19 points, four steals and three assists in 25 minutes.
The Devils will confront Coburg Giants at the Werribee Sports and Fitness Centre on Saturday night with revenge on the mind after the Giants beat them in the pre-season grand final.
“Coburg won it last year and they beat us in the pre-season so they are dangerous on their day,” Klaman said.
The Devils men’s team was pipped 73-70 by the Eltham Wildcats on their home court in the men’s championship.
BIG V SCORES
Men: Werribee Devils 70 lt Eltham Wildcats 73
Women: Chelsea Gulls 60 lt Werribee Devils 91
