Tara Murray
Wyndham is hoping to bounce back this weekend to keep its season alive in the Big V women’s state championship.
Wyndham trails the McKinnon Cougars 1-0 after game one of their best-of-three semi final series.
Coach Gerard Hillier wasn’t on the sidelines, while just eight players suited up, with Rachel Kerr playing just two minutes.
Despite not having their full complement of players, Wyndham still pushed the Cougars all the way.
The Cougars led by four points at quarter time, which was reduced to just one basket at the main break.
Wyndham took the lead in a low scoring third term, leading by four points at three quarter time.
The two teams traded the lead in the dying minutes, with two free throws to Rosie Fadljevic enough to get the Cougars across the line 70-69.
Holly Dolny and Lauren Jones top scoring with 17 points apiece.
Interim coach Billy Akalo said all games between the two sides had been close this year.
“It was always going to be a tough game,” he said. “We knew coming into the game we would have to go at a faster pace.
“We didn’t do it as much as we should have. We weren’t far off, it was key decisions in moments in the game.
“We didn’t get these things right compared to in the past in close games. We need to finish things off on our terms.”
Akalo said with a young team they were always bound to make mistakes but were making adjustments they felt would help in those key areas.
Wyndham, which was the minor premier, will now have to win game two on Saturday night at Eagle Stadium, to keep its season alive.
If it wins that, game three will be played on Sunday, also at Eagle Stadium.
Akalo said playing at home would be massive, with the crowd like a sixth player for them on the court.
“It’s good to showcase finals basketball, both men’s and women’s, at Wyndham.”
The Bulleen Boomers led the other semi final series, holding off a fast finishing Sunbury Jets.
Meanwhile, Wyndham’s youth league women’s side will have to come from behind in their youth league division 1 grand final series.
Wyndham hosted game one on Sunday against the Frankston Blues.
The Blues started the better of the two teams to lead by four points at quarter time and then nine points at half time.
They were able to extend the lead further in each of the last two quarters, to win 85-66.
Lucy Oakford top scored with 19 points, while Aleks Connelly and Rachel Kerr also scored double figures.
Game two, and if needed, game three will both be played at Wyndham this weekend.
It was a busy week for the Wyndham women’s team which played an exhibition game last Wednesday against Wyoming University.
Wyoming won the match 66-41 in front of a big crowd.
