ALTONA Lady Gators had a costly stumble in the penultimate round of the Victorian Basketball League Big V women’s division 1 on Sunday.
The Gators lost a nail-biter, 65-60, to the Warrnambool Mermaids at the Altona Sports Centre and coughed up top spot and home-court advantage in the finals.
The only way for the Gators to reclaim No.1 ranking is to snap their two-game losing run against Warrandyte on Sunday and hope a miracle occurs and the Mermaids lose to Keilor Thunder a night earlier, which is unlikely.
The Gators might live to regret their dismal second quarter, where they lost control with a terrible three-of-16 from the field to trail by 13 at half-time. The Mermaids were never going to let that kind of lead slip in the second half.
Brigitte Ardossi tried her best to keep the Gators in the contest with a double-double 17 points and 10 rebounds. Louise Johnston was again a tower of strength with 20 points and six boards.
Meanwhile, Altona Gators put up a real fight for three quarters but unravelled in the last period of an 80-61 loss to Warrnambool Seahawks on Sunday.
Go to hobsonsbayweekly.com.au for more photos. – Lance Jenkinson
Men’s division 1: Altona Gators 61 lt Warrnambool Seahawks 80
Women’s division 1: Altona Lady Gators 60 lt Warrnambool Mermaids 65
