By Tara Murray
Wallan Panthers are hoping to break their Melbourne University Black Angels hoodoo in the opening round of the Big V women’s division 2 finals series.
The Panthers have lost just four games this year, with two of them coming against the Black Angels. With the Panthers finishing a spot ahead, they get home court advantage for the qualifying final.
Panthers coach Warren Taylor said they were highly motivated to turn the tables on the Black Angels.
“I honestly think Melbourne Uni are the best team we have played,” he said.
“Their structure and execution on offence is superb. There’s no better team in the league at forcing you out of your comfort zone, reading defensive breakdowns and capitalising on them.
“Defensively they are tough and uncompromising and we know we need to be ready for the battle. We just need to be at our defensive best Saturday which is a great challenge. ”
The match will also be game 200 for Sarah Scott. Scott, who was one of the first main signings for the team at the start of last season, has played more minutes than any other player for the Panthers.
Before coming to the Panthers, Scott played at Ringwood Hawks and Hume City Broncos, including playing in two state championship titles with the Broncos, which were coached by Taylor.
Taylor said, Scott who is just 24, never misses a training session and would love a team full of players like her.
“I would be hard pressed to think of a better defensive player I’ve coached over the journey,” Taylor said.
” I think she doesn’t get anywhere near the respect defensively that she deserves and its players like Sarah that every coach loves because you just know she will take any assignment and shut anyone down.”
“She’s such an underrated offensive player. She’s arguably the smartest player we have and rarely if ever makes a bad decision, which in itself is so impressive.
“I know we wouldn’t be anywhere near as successful as we have been over the past two seasons without SS”
The game is at 7:00pm at RB Robson Stadium on Saturday night.
