When the Hume Lady Broncos signed American basketballer Colleen Planeta for the Big V season, they figured that even if she wasn’t a star player, she would settle well into the club.
No one could have expected what was to come from Planeta in the state championship division. She was judged the league’s most valuable player, was leading points scorer, all-star centre, defensive player of the year … and last month she was grand final MVP, playing a starring role in the Lady Broncos’ premiership.
Outgoing senior coach Warren Taylor said Hume City had looked at several overseas players before settling on Planeta, who had already returned to the US.
“We kind of looked at different options and we needed a ‘big’ who could score,” Taylor said.
“Speaking to her and her family over Skype, I was comfortable in her attitude. I thought at the time that, the way her character is, we’ll have a win no matter what she does on the court.”
Taylor said Planeta was a standout from the moment she arrived at the Lady Broncos.
“Everyone sees her stats … and we could talk about her scoring ability all day. She scored while double- or triple-teamed, but she was also our best at blocking shots.
“[But] what she has brought internally is much more. Attitude, commitment and effort are my three keys and she has them in spades.”
In a boost for the Broadmeadows club, Planeta has agreed to return next season.
“When we signed, we made sure she knew it was for one year and that there was unlikely to be a second year,” Taylor said.
“It speaks volumes of the impact she’s had on the club, for her to be coming back for a second year. She will have more a junior development role.”
Planeta wasn’t Hume City’s only winner at the league’s MVP awards, with Taylor winning his first coach of the year gong.
“I’m really proud of the girls, and they did the hard work,’’ he said. ‘‘It’s nice for the club to be recognised. This year was a completely different style of coaching for me personally, with the
new players. We started the season developing our kids and wanting to make finals.
“The premiership was icing on the cake.”
As reported in last week’s Star Weekly, Taylor has stepped down as senior coach.
“Late last season I moved to Seymour for work, so I’ve spent a fair bit of time away from home this year,’’ he said. “I suggested the club speak to Katrina Hibbert about taking on the role and offered to stay on as assistant coach. She and the club were happy with that.”
