Hume City Broncos fell short in the battle of the Hume teams in the Big V women’s state championship division.
In one of the most anticipated match-ups of the Big V season, the Sunbury Jets claimed the points to even the ledger between the two teams for the season.
For most of the match, the sides went goal for goal, with a thriller on the cards.
A five-minute patch to start the last quarter would prove to be the difference, with the Jets eventually winning 84-74.
Broncos coach Dee Butler said was disappointed that they couldn’t hold their momentum for the full four quarters.
The Broncos were dealt a blow mid-week, with star import Azia Bishop hurting her ankle, ruling her out of the game.
“I think they [Sunbury] did an excellent job of being disruptive in the post with us, and having Azia out made us a little bit smaller there,” Butler said.
“I think we kind of went away from the well, which is something we need to review and keep looking at – finding ways when BreAnna Brock is getting double teamed.
“Overall, I think it would have been a great game to watch, but [there’s] a lot of things we can take out of that.”
Butler said they were hopeful Bishop wouldn’t miss too many games, but that they must adjust when she was not playing.
She said she expected teams to double team Brock when they were without Bishop.
Brock was on fire early against the Jets, scoring 23 points and having nine rebounds and three steals.
“With Azia out for a little bit, teams will do that [double team] and we haven’t had to deal with that,” she said.
“For the development of our players, they need to be exposed to that.
“It’s not only for their personal development for this season, but moving forward for the rest of their basketball careers.”
Teyla Evans scored 19 points and Nicole Zammit with 17.
PHOTO GALLERY: Hume City Broncos vs Sunbury Jets
Butler said it was good to test themselves against a nearly full-strength Jets side early in the season.
The Broncos are third on the ladder with a 6-2 record. Their two losses have been to the Jets and in overtime to Keilor Thunder.
“We’re happy with how we are playing and where we’re at,” Butler said. “We knew we would be right there.
“It’s frustrating and disappointing to lose, but we’ve got the experience and the maturity in the group to learn from those games.
“You don’t want to be flying high and not being exposed to tight games.. You can’t create that at training.”
The tests continue for the Broncos, who next face second-placed Werribee Devils.
Butler said it would be another good challenge.
“It will be great,” she said. “They are up and about and they have some quality players.
“We’ll go back and work hard.”
The Broncos men’s side had a mixed weekend of two thrillers.
On Saturday night, they lost to the McKinnon Cougars 104-101.
Jamal Shabazz top-scored with 24 points before fouling out.
On Sunday, the Broncos were on the right end of a thriller, beating Chelsea Gulls 92-91.
Jordan Coleman top-scored for the Broncos with 22 points.
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