By Tara Murray
Whittlesea Pacers young talent is continuing to come through, with their youth league women’s side through to second successive finals series.
After breaking back into the youth league division two finals last season, the Pacers have backed it up this year, sealing their spot with several rounds remaining.
For Pacers coach Shannon Bodley the aim this season was to continue on from what they did last year.
The Pacers sit fifth heading into the final round.
“We’re heading into finals for a second year in a row, for the first time in a long time,” he said.
“Once you play finals it’s always nice to get back and play them the next year.
“The aim is to always win more games than the year before. We’ve won exactly the same as last year.
“One more would be nice.”
Just five players from last season’s team returned, but among them are some of the standouts in the division.
Indiana Bodley leads the division in points per game, averaging 18.22 a game.
Last season’s youth league women’s division two most valuable player Hailey Wynd sits third in average points per game, first in average rebounds and first in blocks.
Wynd returned from a calf injury on the weekend, having missed several games.
Olivia Dalmau leads the division in assists per game, averaging 3.68.
Bodley said the experience of last season had helped the three take their games to the next level.
“The new girls are getting used to the ideas and are starting to know what to expect, he said.
“Hopefully the five from last year will step up. We’ve got weapons, so hopefully a few will step up.”
No matter the result in the final round, the Pacers will finish fifth. They play seventh placed Blackburn Vikings this weekend.
Bodley said the development of the side was a positive for the club and the future of their program.
“Both senior teams have struggled,” he said. “It’s good with the development.”
The Whittlesea Pacers two seniors sides both finish their season this weekend.
