Melton Thoroughbreds continue to show they are Big V women’s division 2 contenders.
The side started slowly in its return to Big V, but has moved into the top four with three straight wins.
On Saturday night, third-placed Melbourne University Black Angels became the Thoroughbreds’ latest victim.
Thoroughbreds playing coach Lauren Olcorn said they were confident, despite losing to the Angels earlier in the year.
“We knew it would be a tough game, but one we could win,” she said.
“Last time we went down by nine points, but we knew we had a lot more to give and this game we were going to do it.
“We had to be patient and disciplined on the offensive end.”
Facing a very experienced side, the young Thoroughbreds held their nerve for a 65-59 victory.
A 17-11 second quarter was the difference, with no more than two points separating the sides in the other quarters.
Olcorn said the biggest thing for the side in the past few weeks had been a more even spread. In the previous game, the Thoroughbreds had five players in double figures, on Saturday night they had four.
Rebecca Marshall top scored against the Angels with 19 points.
As well, the Thoroughbreds’ assist total has increased.
Melton’s victory and Wallan Panthers’ win over Craigieburn Eagles show the season is wide open.
Olcorn knows her players are on the right track and the hard work they’ve been putting in is paying off.
“I’m very happy with how we’ve been performing,” she said. “We’re seeing the rewards on the court and the team has stepped up in general.
“I knew it would take some hard work to find our niche and it’s come a lot quicker than I thought.”
The Thoroughbreds, fourth with six wins and five losses, have the weekend off along with
the rest of the competition due to the Queen’s Birthday.
Olcorn said the break was something of a double-edged sword, as they would have liked to have continued the momentum.
The men’s side had a mixed weekend, splitting its two matches.
On Saturday night, the Thoroughbreds lost to Pakenham Warriors in a thriller.
The game went down to the dying minutes with the Warriors winning 81-78.
Dexter Graham top scored with 21 points as five players hit double figures.
On Sunday, the Thoroughbreds bounced back with a 92-61 win against Maccabi Warriors.
Star Emmanuel Malou shot 38 points and pulled down 18 rebounds.
The Thoroughbreds are sixth on the ladder, with a 50/50 win-loss record.
The youth league men’s division 2 side has slipped to third after losing to the Warriors, 92-87.
