Hume City Broncos coach Lanard Copeland will certainly look back at his side’s training program from last week, as they did something on Saturday they hadn’t done all this season.
The Broncos have had no problems backing up for double-headers in Big V basketball state championship division but then seemed to struggle the following week.
Until Saturday night’s 100-86 point win over Eltham, the Broncos hadn’t won a game the weekend after a double-header.
Speaking before the weekend’s match, Copeland said he’d tried all sorts of things to rectify the fall-off.
“We’ve done swimming sessions and cycling sessions on Tuesday nights and that hasn’t worked,” he said.
“This week we did a regular training session … hopefully we’ll get the win.”
After an up-and-down start to the season, the Broncos have won five of the past six matches.
“We’re starting to play defence every game,” Copeland said.
“No side is easybeats and if you show weakness, teams are going to jump on that.”
Copeland said the team showed signs of weakness in its early games but now he believes they are a “better scoring team” when they are defensively focused.
The catalyst for the turnaround was a one-point win against previously unbeaten Corio Bay.
“It was a massive game and if you can beat them, you can beat everyone,” Copeland said.
The Broncos’ ability to share the scoring around has become a key to the side that now sits fifth on the ladder.
“We have a scoring spread and that’s a great thing,” Copeland said.
“Last year, the two imports [Jamal Brown and Jermaine Maybank] did most of the scoring.
“This year there’s the spread. Shaun Prendergast has top-scored three times coming off the bench.
“Everyone is more focused on their defensive assignment and the scoring is just happening.”
Copeland said the turnaround in form had to continue.
“We have big games against Corio, Waverley and Ringwood still to come and we have to be competitive in those games,” he said.
“If we can take care of the home games and get a couple of road wins we’ll be in the mix.
“I’m pretty happy with where we’re at. We’ve had a couple of games we should have won but they have shown us we have to work harder.”
The Broncos women’s side dismantled Eltham, winning 75-48.
Colleen Planeta top-scored with 23 points for the Broncos.
