Whittlesea Pacers wanted to make a statement that they’re still premiership contenders in Big V women’s division 1 … and they did just that in Saturday’s preliminary final against Camberwell.
An early onslaught by the Pacers ensured a 92-69 win and another crack at Geelong Supercats, this time in the best-of-three grand final series.
The Supercats are the only team to have beaten the Pacers this year.
The win over Camberwell was just what Pacers coach Shannon Bodley wanted from his players.
“The girls were really good,” Bodley said. “It was a bit of a statement the way we went about it and I think losing [against Geelong] last week really hurt.”
The Pacers’ fast start was the key to the win.
“It was the same fashion as last week, to come out hard,” Bodley said.
“We went on a 21-0 run in the first five minutes of the second quarter. I’ve seen us score quickly during the year but that was something special.”
Bodley said the key was not to allow Camberwell back into the game in the second half.
“We were a little wobbly in the third quarter again but we learned from last week,” he said.
“When you have the lead you just have to make sure you stay even with them.”
Kimetria Hayden top-scored with 29 points, but wasn’t alone in having a big impact on the scoreboard.
“It’s the best I’ve seen Haylee [Cooper-Maclean] play,” Bodley said. “We know she can play like that.
“Darcy Saunders scored 21 points, while Sharyn Hughes had her best game of the year coming off the bench.
“We had three players score 69 points between them, Camberwell scored 68 as a team.”
The win sets up a match up between the season’s two best sides.
The Pacers will host the first of the three grand final matches on Saturday night.
“They’re the only side to beat us this year and knowing that it is burning at us,” Bodley said. “We want to come out and show our game.”
Bodley said defence and his side’s ability to find multiple scoring options would be the key to victory.
“We need to nullify their firepower and stop their playmakers,” he said.
“In the second half of the season teams have realised that if you nullify Kimetria you will be competitive.
“The Supercats did that in the first final in the second half by double-teaming her.
“Camberwell did it, but she was able to find teammates in the right spot.”
