Defending champions Hume City Lady Broncos are one win away from a second straight grand final series in Big V state basketball.
They beat McKinnon Cougars 60-58 in the first of the three-game semi-final series at Bentleigh High School on Saturday.
It was anything but easy for the Lady Broncos, who twice had to come from more than 10 points behind.
Coach Warren Taylor said it was a different type of game than he was used to from his side.
“We didn’t start well and I think we were a little nervous,” he said.
“It was a hard, physical contest. In the end we were lucky to be in front when the siren went. It could have gone either way.
“We were expected to be the better team and we let that affect us.
“They [the Cougars] were playing really well and we were down by 16 points in the second quarter. Then we hit four three-pointers in two minutes to get it back to four.
“McKinnon got it back to 14 points and then we started to gain momentum.”
Taylor said the big change for his side was getting more players on the scoreboard.
“At half time we had only two goal scorers. When we started to get baskets from other players and started to settle it meant McKinnon had to cover more players,” he said.
Colleen Planeta was again the star with 29 points.
Game two will be at Broadmeadows Stadium on Saturday night, with game three also there on Sunday if required.
“Because the first game is held at the home court of the lower team, it’s a premium from a mental point of view going into game two and three at home,” Taylor said. “They haven’t beaten us all year and now they have to beat us twice at our home court. We score better at home, which is an advantage as there has been nothing between the two teams this year.”
The eventual winner will meet either Ringwood Hawks or Waverley Falcons in the grand final.
The Hawks won the first game of that three-match semi-final series 65-51.
