Tara Murray
The Melton Thoroughbreds have completed the perfect debut season in the Basketball Victoria Country Basketball League men’s north-west.
The Thoroughbreds, who are sponsored by ACS Door Services, had no idea what to expect when they started in the new competition.
Nowhere in the wildest dreams, was going through the regular season undefeated and then winning the grand final.
Thoroughbreds coach Mick McCallum said it’s an incredible feeling.
“It’s amazing,” he said. “It’s everything that we have worked for and I’m so proud of the boys.
“We had goals at the start of the season and making the grand final was right down the bottom to be honest.
“It was a new competition and a new team. To go out and win and go through undefeated it’s really good.”
The Thoroughbreds faced the Mildura Heat in the grand final in Bendigo on Saturday night. The two teams faced each other in the final round, with the Thoroughbreds winning by one point on that occasion.
It looked like another thriller, with the Heat leading by two points at half time.
McCallum wasn’t stressed at that point.
“They are a really young talented side and will be a great team in years to come,” he said.
“We were never going to play four poor quarters. We clicked and put together some good runs.”
The Thoroughbreds won the third quarter 27-18 to hit the lead. McCallum said there was plenty of positivity in the group.
The Thoroughbreds saved their best for last, with a 37-22 final quarter to seal the 111-89 win.
“We got flowing in the final quarter,” he said. “Our defence lifted and we were running the lines.
“It was really good.”
McCallum said one of the biggest things for him was being able to give minutes to the whole side with the margin blowing out.
He said it was a reward for the younger players who have stuck with it all season.
“The whole team have played in Melton their whole lives or have come back, that is a win.”
Bok Bak top scored with 29 points, while Liam Allison was named best on court for his 23 points.
McCallum said Allison deserved the recognition.
“He has had a good year, but has been playing behind other players and doesn’t always get the recognition.
“He really stood up.”
More than 50 Melton fans made the trip up to Bendigo continuing the good support the side has had this year.
While the CBL season is over, the hard work is far from done for McCallum and the playing group.
McCallum has been appointed the Thoroughbreds’ Big V men’s coach.
“Most of the senior guys are on the Big V team and a lot of younger ones are in the youth league team.
“It puts us in the right stead for the Big V season. We think we’re heading in the right direction.
“We’ll be back into training on Thursday.”
