Shepparton Lady Gators’ Country Basketball League season has ground to a halt following a 15-point loss to Wangaratta Lady Warriors at home on Saturday.
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While the game was very much in the balance at the midway point, a third-quarter lapse enabled the Warriors to blitz ahead and bury an inexperienced Gators line-up, meaning the side will miss out on finals after finishing in sixth position, two places out of contention.
Coach Chris Judd said a shooting deficiency was a defining factor in the loss and was ultimately disappointed in the manner in which his side had rounded out the season.
“We did a pretty good job defensively; their scoring wasn’t fantastic, but ours was worse — we had so many opportunities.
“Players like Gemma Kerr, who is a veteran of Shepparton basketball, and Kior Zito, who is an absolute legend, couldn’t buy a shot and everybody else followed suit.”
A standstill opening quarter had a measly total of nine points on the scoreboard at the sound of the first hooter, but the Gators remedied their lacklustre beginning with some astute offensive work to sit level at 17-17 halfway through the contest.
Talisman Briarna Moon turned up the heat in the final stanza, dropping 10 points by herself, but a lack of support from her surrounding members left too much ground to be made up, with Wangaratta seizing the opportunity and going the distance.
The loss signalled a rather underwhelming finish according to Judd, who said it was a case of what could have been for the Gators.
“It was a disappointing end to the season, especially knowing we could have beaten that side,” Judd said.
“It is easy to make excuses, but we have had a lot of stand-in players, others didn’t train because of other commitments.
“A pleasing thing is that we have been able to give court time to up-and-coming juniors, a lot of them have been blooded and have stood up and that is great going forward.”
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