By Tara Murray
Craigieburn Eagles returned to the winners’ list with a much-needed win against Latrobe City Energy in Big V women’s division 1.
In one of their strongest performances of the season, the Eagles won three of the four quarters in the 91-72 win.
A 23-11 second quarter proved the main difference.
Eagles assistant coach Kellie Bailey-Lynn said it was nice to get back onto the winners’ list.
She said the winning margin could have been more, had they made the most of their opportunities.
Jada Buggs was the standout, scoring 21 points and having nine rebounds in her best game for the club so far.
Giulia Dinunzio scored 21 points, while Darcy Saunders scored 19 points as the Eagles shared the scoring around.
Bailey-Lynn said they hoped this would kickstart Buggs’ season.
“There was no doubt in anyone’s mind that she would get back to playing some good basketball.
“She’s in a new club and a new competition. Everyone in the team is kind of still trying to find out what the best is for the team.”
Bailey-Lynn said, like last season, their strength is their depth across the board.
“We go 12 deep,” she said. “On any given night, anyone can step up and perform.”
But their depth has also been a challenge, with Bailey-Lynn still trying to work out the best combinations and how to get the best out of the team as a whole.
She said they had set high expectations for the group, which won last season’s division 2 championship.
“We have to remember we are a new side,” she said. “We know how to be competitive and that we have an experienced and skilled side.
“There’s still a lot of the pieces of the puzzle to fit in. We’re getting minutes under the belt and playing different combinations.
“We’re a really balanced group. It’s a learning curve for everyone.”
PHOTO GALLERY: Craigieburn Eagles vs Latrobe City Engery
Bailey-Lynn said they were finding division 1 a little bit faster and more skillful than what they were used to last year.
She said they were making changes and hoped they would start to hit their straps soon.
The Eagles are sixth, with a 3-5 record.
“[Coach] Ben [Carroll] and I finish nearly every conversation, with ‘it is a good thing’,” Bailey-Lynn said.
“Once you get a little bit of confidence and see the runs come. We do have some hard games coming up, but looking at the list on paper, you can’t write us off.”
The Eagles men’s division 2 side had a day out against North East Bushrangers on Sunday.
The Eagles started well and led by 14 points at quarter-time. They continued from strength to strength, winning 122-51.
All Eagles players had more than nine minutes court-time with everyone scoring. Six players scored double figures.
Import Damon Smith top-scored with 23 points, while pulling down 11 rebounds.
