Melton Thoroughbreds is hoping another year together will help them rise up the Basketball Victoria Country Basketball League north-west men’s ladder.
After a solid first season under coach John Allison, the core group has returned and are back for another tilt.
Allison said they felt they were in a good spot heading into this season.
“We are still young,” he said. “We are 12 months older than last year and a lot of players who played last year are playing again this year.
“They are a year older, they are a year more mature and the boys are looking to do well.”
Allison said they felt the consistency in the group was important not just for the CBL program, but their Big V youth league side and keeping players at the club.
After a bye in round one, the Thoroughbreds beat Bacchus Marsh Lions to kick off the season.
With the Lions having played finals last season, it was a good way to kick things off.
“We were a little bit nervous and things weren’t going as well as we would have liked,” he said. “Once the nerves settled a little bit and were able to get into our stuff.”
Allison said a win like that will give the group plenty of confidence going forward with many of the group, 16, 17, and 18 years old.
“They are a pretty good team,” he said. “It gives them confidence and we’re expecting good things.”
Allison said they expected to be competitive again this season and were hoping to turn what were close losses last season into wins this year.
“I think we can win more than 50 per cent of the games,” he said. “I think they will be more consistent and which would be successful, I would have thought.”
Melton is back in action this weekend in a double header.
They face the Castlemaine Cannons on Saturday night, before facing the Bendigo Braves on Sunday.
The Thoroughbreds split their results on the weekend.
Against the Cannons, the Thoroughbreds lost 97-85. A 25-8 first quarter in favour of the Cannons was the key to the result.
Hunter Salmons top scored for the Thoroughbreds with 26 points.
On Sunday, the Thoroughbreds snuck home against the Bendigo Braves, winning 112-110.
Salmons matched his output from the night before with another 26 points while William Lord had 27 points.
The Thoroughbreds women had two strong wins against the same opposition.
On Saturday night they beat the Cannons, 102-38 before beating the Braves, 91-77.
Tar Murray
