Tara Murray
From their best performance to one of their worst has seen the Whittlesea Pacers’ Big V men’s division 1 season come to end.
The Pacers made the long trek down to Traralgon on Saturday night to face Gippsland United with the winner moving through to the grand final.
After going hot from the field to keep their season alive against the Altona Gators, the Pacers couldn’t buy a basket against United.
It would be one of three key things that would prove costly in the 106-72 loss.
Pacers coach Des Radoslovic said it was a disappointing night.
“We got outplayed,” he said. “We got the ball in key areas and generated some good shots but we weren’t able to hit them.
“Gippsland were ready to play and we turned it over too much in the first half.
“We then gave up too many offensive rebounds in the second half. They are three key areas that cost us.”
Radoslovic said even though they had been poor in the first half the game was still on the line.
He said while they might have been able to cover the turnovers and offensive rebounds, their shooting would have meant they would have probably fallen short anyway.
“It was a big contrast between the past two weeks,” he said. “We had a strong build up to last week and come out and gave it everything and had our best game of the year.
“We weren’t able to keep that effort going for another week.”
Skipper Jason Dirkx was the Pacers top scorer on Saturday night with 16 points.
Radoslovic said while there’s a lot of initial disappointment in the result, they would look back and see it’s a good season.
It’s the Pacers first season back up in division 1.
“That was the message,” he said. “The boys were extremely disappointed in the room.
“They will get pats on the back for a successful season going 14-4, finishing second on the ladder and making a preliminary final.
“We’re proud of what we’ve achieved primarily with the same squad. We lost the MVP [most valuable player] in Gabe Evans but we bought in Meekness Payne.
“What we’ve achieved in the last two years is really important to the club. At this point of time it doesn’t feel that way though.”
Radoslovic, who has signed on for next season already, said they would continue to build as they focus on getting the side back into the championship division.
He said Gippsland was in a similar position to them 12 months ago.
“Hopefully we’ll use this feeling and learn from it and regroup come pre-season,” he said. “We’ll look to add what we need and hopefully take some steps forward.”
