Whittlesea Pacers didn’t take long to gel in Big V women’s division 1.
After a first-game loss, the Pacers had gone on a six-game winning streak.
While the Werribee Devils put an end to that streak on Sunday, Pacers coaching director Shannon Bodley said experience and wise heads were steering the Pacers in the right direction.
“They’re building really well and are a tight bunch of girls,” he said.
“There’s the experience and wise heads around and they seem to fit into together.
“There’s a lot of new people and all have played in the league … there’s a fair bit of talent.”
Bodley said one of the team’s strengths was the number of players that could contribute on any given night.
He said no one player is playing big minutes, with everyone getting plenty of court time.
Playing coach Hayley Munro, who played in Women’s National Basketball League championship, hasn’t played a lot of minutes so far.
Bodley said not having to rely on Munro was a bonus, but he expected her to step up more later in the season.
“They’re playing together without any egos,” Bodley said. “Every week someone steps up and the next person slots in. We don’t need super stars shooting 30 points every game.”
On Sunday, the Pacers were outscored in the last three quarters in their 64-56 loss to Werribee Devils.
Nicole McMahon and Elyce Lambrou, scored double figures, as the Pacers shot at 28 per cent accuracy as a team.
The loss leaves the Pacers sitting 6-2 and entrenched in the top four.
Bodley said the good start to the season reinforced their pre-season aim of making finals this year.
“We’ve got a team together that can play finals again,” he said.
“Looking at other results I think finals are on the radar. We defeated Mildura in Mildura, which is huge.”
In other Pacer results, the men’s side had a big loss to Keysborough Cougars.
The Cougars had a huge night on the scoreboard, scoring 30-plus points in every quarter in the 123-68 win. For the Pacers, Samuel Sykes top-scored with 12 points.
The youth league girl’s team defeated Werribee Devils 73-66.
Bodley, who coaches that side, said the team was starting to get used to his coaching style.
They’ve been in most of their games, with three of their four losses, single point defeats.
The youth league men’s side lost to Frankston Blues and Keysborough Cougars.
