ONE season as senior coach for one premiership. It’s a perfect start in the top job for Melton’s Grant Spencer.
The Melton resident with no previous ties to the club came in at
short notice after Aaron Christian resigned in pre-season, and made a
slow start with four straight losses.
Thoroughbreds premiership: Picture gallery
Thoroughbreds premiership: Match report
Thoroughbreds premiership: The club
Thoroughbreds premiership: The players
Thoroughbreds premiership: The coach
But Spencer’s basketball resumé is a
broad one, an assistant coach in the NBL and SEABL among his past
titles, and it was only a matter of time before his system and knowledge
made an impact on the floor.
And what an impact. After getting the monkey off the back with the first win, Melton didn’t lose again.
An 18-game winning streak later, Spencer is enjoying his first premiership success in the top job.
“I think (Keilor) came out to give one last crack and we took our
foot off the peddle a little bit, which is a disappointing aspect,” he
said.
“But a win’s a win, and in a grand final, to get the bench guys in at the end is a bit of recognition they deserve.
“We made adjustments against a Keilor zone (defence) and were able
to score with ease. We made them take bad shots, then rebounded the
ball and ran it back down their throats.”
Spencer said finals MVP Jeff Crowe had not trained all week in the lead-up to Saturday’s game because of a foot injury.
“He can shoot the ball, there’s no doubt about that, and it’s good we got him through that game,” Spencer sad.
“Keilor were defending so deep in the court it was important to sneak out and get some fast breaks.
“Against the zone it was important for us to make our bigs pass
the ball and play the inside-outside game. They were able to find open
guys against the zone to either penetrate or hit the open look.
“It was unselfishness from them to get the guards the ball against the zone.”
Spencer said the players deserved the credit for the championship run.
“We didn’t have any imports, we’re all local guys,” he said.
“Everyone in this team has played domestic basketball here or lived in
Melton. They deserve the recognition.
“Lucas Bourke (president) and Todd Anderson (basketball manager)
have done a great job getting all the families and Melton kids back
involved (as spectators).
“I said at half-time we had to respect our crowd and thank them for what they’ve given us this season.”
On a personal level, Spencer said the achievement would be one he’d always remember.
“It’s definitely one of the best moments. Being runner-up in the
NBL with the Cairns Taipans was great, being involved at the highest
level, but this is special,” he said.
“To be involved with so many guys I’ve coached before, it’s just special.”
