JOEY Mausar put his fingerprints all over the Altona Gators’ thrilling 83-79 win over Latrobe City Energy in Big V basketball men’s division 1 at the Altona Sports Centre on Saturday night.
Mausar dragged the Gators over the line with the perfect all-round game, contributing with his sharpshooting from long range, finding teammates in good scoring positions and locking down on the defensive end.
“He did an awesome job at both ends,” said Gators coach Randy Shanklin.
Mausar finished with 21 points, six assists and two steals. His shooting from downtown was a feature, hitting five from five from three-point territory. He also dulled the influence of dangerman Jordan Canovan, the Energy’s second- leading scorer. When Mausar fouled out in the last quarter, with the game still up for grabs, his teammates shared the load to fill his shoes.
“It was a total team effort,” Shanklin said. “We had different things from different players at every point in the game.”
Shaun Phelan recovered from a slow start to have a major impact with 16 points and six rebounds.
Daniel Ellul was productive with 11 points and three assists before assuming the Mausar role down the stretch.
Craig Martin reeled in eight rebounds in what is his last game for the Gators before a move to Darwin for work.
“We’re going to have to make a big adjustment,” Shanklin said. “He’s a big piece of our offence and has a bit of size. We get a bit smaller, but it gives someone else a chance to step up and do something.”
A month ago, the Altona Gators were embarrassed on their home court by the Warrandyte Venom in Big V basketball women’s division 1, losing by a massive 46 points.
Young and inexperienced by comparison, the Gators were tipped to struggle big time when the two sides met again on Sunday, this time on the road at the Warrandyte Sports Complex and without injured co-captain Ashley Patterson.
But demonstrating how far this young side has come in a short space of time, the Gators put up one hell of a fight, losing narrowly 61-54 in a gallant performance.
Katrina Vogelezang had a break-out game for the Gators.
The recruit from Albury reeled in a double double 12 points and 11 rebounds with four assists.
Vogelezang has no ceiling on what she can provide the Gators, but has taken time to adjust to Shanklin’s style of play.
“Our system is more of a spread offence type situation, but she’s been used to playing in the more structured, back-to-the-basket-type game,” Shanklin said.
“We’re trying to get her away from that because she’s not as big in our league and if she has a big girl on her, we’d like her to use her abilities and attack the basket or bring that big away from the basket, because she can shoot the ball pretty well.
“She’s going to be a huge asset for us this year.”
Big V
Men: Altona Gators 83 d Latrobe City Energy 79
Women: Warrandyte Venom 61 d Altona Gators 54
