Oliver Lees
Melton Thoroughbreds coach Mick McCallum’s wish for greater consistency from his side was on show on Saturday night in the Big V men’s division 2 competition.
The Thoroughbreds split their two matches before the Easter break, with a win first up and then a disappointing loss.
Speaking before his side’s clash with the Sherbrooke Suns, McCallum said the first two rounds had been up and down.
“We came out really strong in round one and then in round two we did the complete opposite,” he said.
“I think it was just a little bit of complacency, we had a good pre-season but maybe we’re getting a little bit in front of ourselves.”
Last season, the Thoroughbreds has similar issues of consistency, finishing the year with five wins and 13 losses after winning two of their first four matches.
On Saturday night against the Suns, the Thoroughbreds led by four points at quarter time and 16 points at half time.
The Thoroughbreds let the Suns back into the game in the third quarter, with the margin just seven at the final break.
The Thoroughbreds finished strongly to win, 118-106.
Milan Savic top scored with 35 points, while import Darian Peterson had 26 points.
Peterson has made an immediate impact.
Peterson played his first match for the Thoroughbreds against Surf Coast, finishing with 29 points, six rebounds and two blocks and then backed it up on Saturday night.
The 185 centimetre guard from Virginia in the United States spent the last four years playing college basketball before deciding to try for a professional contract in Australia.
McCallum said the club had been lucky to land him.
“We weren’t looking for him actually,” he said.
“He came out [to Australia] looking to sign for another association, but that fell through. So he went around looking for clubs, I knew the other coach and it all happened from there.
“He’s fit in really well, it’s like he’s been around for a few years. It’s not very often you find an American that can fit in so quickly.”
McCallum said another significant change from last season, which was his first in charge, was having more options for him to choose from coming off the bench.
“Last year our depth is where we struggled,” he said.
“If we had starters not not playing well, we struggled, now we go ten deep on the bench and we’ve got guys that can stand up and take on that challenge.”
“Whatever rotation I make I know they can play with each other and I know I’m not going to lose anything in the rotation.”
The Thoroughbreds youth league 2 men’s side had a 72-52 loss to the Sunbury Jets on Saturday night.
Madiar Chipuowuop top scored with 21 points.
The senior Thoroughbreds host the Wallan Panthers on Saturday night.
