Both Wyndham’s Big V championship sides will have to make the most of their second chances this weekend if their premiership dreams are to stay alive.
Having finished on top of the ladder, both the men’s and women’s sides had the first week of finals off.
Both teams started their finals campaigns on Saturday night at home at Eagle Stadium and it wasn’t the result either team was hoping for.
The women’s side started the action against the Bulleen Boomers.
Scores were level at quarter time before the Boomers took a 10 point lead into half time.
That extended to 16 points at the main break.
The damage was done with the Boomers locking the game up in the final quarter to come away with an 84-67 win.
Mackenzie Drew top scored with 13 points off the bench as captain Amanda Paschal was kept to just seven points.
Wyndham will now face the Bellarine Storm in a preliminary final this Saturday night.
The men’s side then faced off against the McKinnon Cougars for a spot in the grand final.
It went down to the wire with the Cougars getting over the line, 95-93.
Wyndham led by five points at quarter time and it was just one point at half time and three quarter time.
The lead was traded early in the last quarter before the Cougars hit the front with seven and half minutes left on the clock.
McKinnon managed to get the lead out to five points before Wyndham came again.
It got within one point with 46 seconds on the clock, Myles Thomas missed a jump shot with 10 seconds to give Wyndham the lead.
The Cougars then hit one free before missing the second to seal the win.
Troyce Manassa top scored with 26 points for Wyndham, while Daniaell Herbert scored 20.
Wyndham now faces the Keysborough Cougars on Saturday for a spot in the grand final.
McKinnon awaits the winner.
Meanwhile, several Wyndham players have been announced as finalists for the Big V awards to be announced next month.
Paschal, who won the most valuable player award last year, is in the running for defensive player of the year.
She has been nominated for all-star five along with Julie Brosseau, with the most valuable player to come from those finalists.
Manassa and Adetomi Ayilara are finalists for the men’s all-star five team.
Gerard Hillier and Lucas Allen have been nominated for coach of the year for the women’s and men’s sides respectively.
Lauren Jones has been named as a finalist for the championship youth women’s player of the year, while Oskar Jones has been nominated for the championship men’s youth player.
