OREANA Hume City Broncos’ continue to build momentum with a fifth straight victory in the Big V state championship.
But as in several of their recent wins, the Broncos were made to fight all the way to the final siren against Werribee.
The Broncos led at every break but were never able to get away from Devils and even fell behind in the final quarter.
On regaining the lead, the Broncos stayed in front to win 86-83.
Lee Jeka scored 26 points and Jermaine Maybank chipped in with 23.
Broncos coach Lanard Copeland said he was impressed by how his side played when under immense pressure.
“It builds character,” he said of another close result.
“Three or four of those games we would have lost last year.
“Werribee play very strong basketball and normally score at least 85 points, so we knew it was a danger game.
“I can see we’re growing and getting better.”
The winning streak is even more impressive for the Broncos, who have been under strength in recent weeks.
For more photos from Saturday night’s match against Werribee, CLICK HERE
With Laat Gak going down injured, the Broncos have relied on eight or nine players each week to get the job done.
Copeland said he was unsure if Gak would return, with a bigger focus on getting him fit and healthy before he heads to college later in the year.
The Broncos have made two recent signings, Javari Williams and Andrew Savage.
Williams made his debut on Saturday night, scoring nine points and taking 10 rebounds.
“Javari was with Sunbury for three quarters of the season and hadn’t been playing basketball,” Copeland said,
“With JB [Jamal Brown] becoming an Australian citizen, we could bring someone else in.
“His rebounding off the bench in a short period of time was really good and he’s still learning our game.
“He can put the ball on the court and is strong enough to play the four or five position.”
Savage, who formerly played in Big V with Latrobe City, provides back up in the centre position, a role originally to be filled by former Australian player Neil Mottram.
“He’s a veteran of the game,” Copeland said.
“He’s 6ft 9in (202cm) and a backup centre who can shoot from outside.”
After seven rounds, the Broncos are fifth on the ladder, only percentage behind third.
This week they face, Knox which is coming off its first loss of the season on Sunday.
“The top five is so tight this year, it makes the players hungrier for wins,” Copeland said.
“We have to stay with the pack and that means we have to knock off the top sides.
“The guys are looking forward to playing the top sides. We’re having success over them we haven’t had previously.”
The Broncos women had a big win over McKinnon on Saturday night.
Shooting at more than 51 per cent for the game, the Broncos outscored the Tigers in all four quarters to win 90-53.
But it wasn’t just the Broncos shooting that was impressive. They were also good defensively, especially in the fourth quarter, when the Tigers scored just four points.
The Broncos had six players in double figures, with Nicole Zammit leading the way with 20.
