Hume City Broncos got off to the best start possible in the Big V women’s state championship grand final basketball series.
Playing Ringwood for a fourth straight year in the grand final series, the Broncos knew exactly who they were coming up against.
In game one at Ringwood, the Broncos set about getting off to a fast start and setting the pace.
They did exactly that, leading by 14 points at quarter time and maintaining at least a nine-point buffer for the rest of the game.
The final margin was 10 points, with the Broncos winning 69-59 to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
Broncos coach Katrina Hibbert said the fast start was the key to Saturday night’s effort.
“It was good … we wanted them to play catch-up all game,” she said.
“We didn’t win all the quarters, but we had a great start to play … I’m never happy, but defensively we were very solid and we focused on communication.
“It’s great to be 1-0 going into the home finals.”
After starting well, Hibbert said the team then focussed on the short-term goals.
“We brought the game down to five-minute periods and then would re-group,” she said.
“We knew they would come at us in the last quarter. Our rotations were a bit light compared to normal, but I wanted to maintain a 10 to 15 point lead all game.”
The stand-out for the Broncos was captain Colleen Planeta, who scored 28 points and had nine rebounds.
She scored 16 points in the first half and her tally was up to 24 points two minutes into the third quarter.
The previous week she had struggled against Southern Peninsula.
“She attacked the ring, found her three-point shot and it freed her up,” Hibbert said.
“We worked well to our strengths
“I don’t think she’s played a game like that [the week before] for two years, and I can’t see it happening again.”
Despite holding a 1-0 lead, the Broncos aren’t taking anything for granted heading into game two and, if needed, game three.
Game two will be played from 7pm on Saturday night at Broadmeadows Stadium. Game three, if needed, will be played from 1pm on Sunday, also at Broadmeadows.
“We won game one last year and then lost the next two,” Hibbert said, “We spoke about remembering what happened 12 months ago.”
Meanwhile, Planeta and Hibbert are among the nominees for the Big V season awards.
Planeta is in the running for a third straight state championship most valuable player award, while Hibbert has been nominated for coach of the year in that division.
Yinka Olorunnife has been nominated for defensive player of the year.
Lee Jeka is in the running for the men’s state championship MVP.
