Tara Murray
It’s said defence wins games and it was the case for Wyndham in game one of its best-of-three grand final series in the Big V women’s state championship.
On the road in game one against the Bulleen Boomers, Wyndham overcame some early nerves to withhold the experienced Boomers.
Wyndham switched the defensive switch in the third quarter to take control of the game, before holding on in the last quarter, winning 63-55.
Interim coach Billy Akalo said it was special for them to get the win in game one.
“It was important for us to start well and get the first game,” he said.
“We’re taking on a Bulleen team, a veteran team and an experienced team that were going to push us.
“We were nervous early but were able to withstand what they threw at us in the first quarter.”
Akalo said it was the third quarter where they were able to turn the game in their favour.
It was one of their young guns that did the damage.
“It was the third quarter that we were able to do damage defensively,” he said.
“We were spurred on by Rachel Kerr coming off the bench who was on their main guards up on the ball.
“That got our offensive game going. They say the third quarter is the premiership quarter, and that was it for us.
“We never looked back.”
Akalo said they were able to hold on in the last quarter. He said while their game wasn’t where it needed to be offensively, they were still able to do enough.
He said it was encouraging to see that it was the younger players who stepped up when they really needed them to.
“We are young and naïve,” he said. “We’re bullet proof. We make more mistakes than we should, but we are quickly looking at the next play.
“We are young and brash and have been able to get it done in big games. Bulleen has four players over 30, our oldest player is 28.
“We were able to withstand patches that Bulleen threw at us.”
Amanda Paschal top scored with 22 points, while also having seven rebounds and six assists.
Dyani Ananiev had 17 points and matched it with 17 rebounds. Game two and if needed game three will be played at Werribee in front of a packed Eagle Stadium.
For Wyndham’s coaching staff, nothing changes this week as they head in the final weekend of the season.
“It’s a similar process,” Akalo said. “The girls enjoyed the game last night and took time to understand what we did.
Once it hits Monday it’s business as usual. We will review a few things that we need to tweak for game two.
“We want to keep things as business as usual and we don’t want to get compliance.
“We are still the underdog team with a chip on our shoulder.”
