By Tara Murray
Melton Thoroughbreds will have to do it the hard way if they are to win through to the Big V men’s division 2 basketball grand final.
The Thoroughbreds trail their best-of-three semi-final series against Coburg Giants 1-0 after going down in a thriller in front of a big Melton crowd.
After the two teams traded baskets for all the last quarter, the Giants regained the lead through a three-pointer in the last minute to grab a 66-65 win.
Thoroughbreds coach Joe Hooks said the loss stung.
He said they weren’t able to execute down the stretch when it was required.
“The boys played hard, but they lost sight of the game plan towards the end,” he said.
“It wasn’t about the other team – it was about what we did.
“The boys felt like they didn’t handle what they were meant to do at the end.”
Hooks said the performance wasn’t one of their best and that they still had a lot more to give.
He was full of praise for Coburg.
“I tip my hat to Coburg,” he said.
“I thought we saw the best of them.
“To be honest, we were not playing the best basketball and I don’t know how we were that close. If we can take that and build for the next two games …”
Dexter Graham top-scored for the Thoroughbreds with 23 points, while three of the other four starters scored double figures.
Hooks said Mangar Manyang, who scored 13 points and had nine rebounds, was the most consistent player on the night.
He said they would look to put in two really strong practices during the week before game two and, if needed, game three.
Coburg will host both those games and Hooks is expecting some of the Melton crowd to make the trip.
Hooks said they were by no means out of the series and had a couple of things fallen their way, they could have been 1-0 up.
“I’m really confident in the side and I still believe we can do it,” he said.
“It’s do or die – otherwise it’s the end of the season.
“We have no choice but to come out and pull it off. I’ll preach the same things as I have all season.
“We have to stay focused to get the win.”
Mildura Heat, the lowest-ranked team left alive, took a 1-0 lead in the other semi-final against Craigieburn Eagles.
That match also went down the wire, with the Heat showing a little bit extra in the dying minutes to nail the win.
