Hume City Broncos returned to the top of the tree in Big V women’s state championship, winning their third championship in four years.
Looking for redemption after last year’s grand final heartache against Ringwood, the Broncos faced a similar scenario to 12 months’ ago.
They led the Hawks 1-0 in the grand final series, and were just one win away from the championship. Last year the Hawks pushed it to three games and took the title 2-1.
But on Saturday the Broncos kept their composure and won game two to take the championship 2-0.
Not much separated the two in the first three quarters, and the Broncos led by just one point with three minutes remaining in the game.
The Broncos hit some crucial free throws to open up the gap, and secure their 78-71 win.
Broncos’ coach Katrina Hibbert said it took longer than hoped to get on top in the game, but it was a relief to get across the line.
“It looked for a while that we would be going to game three,” she said. “They came out physically and took out a lot of what we wanted to run.
“They reduced Colleen’s [Planeta] touches, which meant we had to find other avenues.”
Hibbert said the players had learnt from the experience of losing game three of the grand final series last year in a thriller.
One big thing this year for the Broncos was making free throws late in the game.
“We understood scoreboard pressure this year and knew we were in the bonus,” Hibbert said. “We got to the free throw line and thought for a little bit we were cursed when Colleen missed two free throws, and she doesn’t miss many.
“Viv [Saad] stood up and hit a couple of shots, and [Nicole] Zammit hit hers, which gave us a three-shot separation – and they couldn’t get the winning shot like they did last year.”
Hibbert said the disappointment of last year had spurred players to become a better side, and better basketballers individually.
Nicole Zammit was awarded most valuable player in the grand final, on the back of 24 points, seven assists and eight rebounds.
“I joked she should miss half a season every year,” Hibbert said.
“She locked down [Melissa] Dixon for most of the game, and she was able to get on the scoreboard.
“She has basketball smarts.”
Zammit was one of five players to score double figures. Planeta (14 points and 15 rebounds), Mua Laloifi (10), Yinka Olorunnife (13) and Viv Saad (10) all chipped in.
For more photos from Saturday’s game, go to starweekly.com.au
