The youth-driven Werribee Devils are finding their feet in the Big V basketball women’s division 1.
The Devils have claimed victories in two of the past three matches to move away from the bottom rungs on the ladder, and there is a real belief in the camp that a finals challenge is on the cards.
“This year it’s the top five that goes to the play-offs and the goal for us is to make the play-offs,” Devils coach Lloyd Klaman told Star Weekly.
This Devils squad contrasts starkly with the more experienced side under Klaman in recent years. It’s a new-era team at the start of its journey.
With young players comes both inconsistency and a hint of timidness. Klaman is hoping his team can find its mean streak in quick time to start challenging the division’s top sides.
He was pleased with the results of last weekend’s double header of matches – a road win over Sunbury Jets and a competitive showing against premiership fancy Geelong Supercats.
It was the Supercats’ game that prompted Klaman’s call for players to toughen up against stronger sides. They matched the competition pacesetter for a half before surrendering in the second.
“We’ve just got to get tougher,” Klaman said.
“It’s hard for the young kids when you’re playing against these veteran players who are just smart and do simple things right.”
In the 67-60 win over Sunbury on Saturday night, Georgia Tauschke had a superb all-round game with 17 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two steals. Lydia Brooks was commanding on the boards with 11 rebounds to go with six points; Lauren Conroy had a rapid fire 14 points in 15 minutes; and Brittany Klaman was a menace defensively with five steals, 11 points and four assists.
In the 67-49 loss to Geelong on Sunday, Katrina Vogelezang, with a double-double 11 points and 11 rebounds, and Alex Moss, with 10 points and eight rebounds, were stand-outs.
The Devils hit the road on Sunday to face Latrobe City in a crucial game. Klaman expects the two sides to be around the mark later in the season in the race for the bottom positions in the final five.
“I think they’re going to finish around where we could finish in that fourth, fifth or sixth spot,” Klaman said. “That’s why the game against Latrobe will be big, if we can get the win.”
Meanwhile, Werribee was beaten 96-72 by the Lanard Copeland-coached Hume City Broncos in the men’s championship at Broadmeadows Basketball Stadium on Sunday.
The Devils will host Bulleen Boomers at the Werribee Sports and Fitness Centre on Sunday.
