By Tara Murray
Things are coming together for the Altona Gators but there’s still plenty of work to be done in the Big V women’s division 1.
The Gators are up to second on the ladder as the back part of the season gets underway and has had some big wins in recent rounds.
Coach Randy Shanklin felt they were starting to play some really strong basketball.
“We had a rocky start,” he said. “We have seemed to have pushed forward with some things, but we are still a long way from where we want to be.
“The new players who joined us have a little more confidence on how we compete and some of the systems.
“Some things we’ve done pretty well and stepped up.”
Shanklin said they had been working on some things that might get overlooked at times to have them sorted before the season ends.
He said they have a tough run home.
“We would rather be up the top now, then trying to fight to get up there,” he said. “The run home is definitely a massive test for us.
“There is no easy game in there and people want to beat us and there’s teams that beat us at the start that we want to beat,”
The Gators faced Westernport on Sunday.
Speaking before the game, Shanklin said despite beating them the last two times they played each other, it wouldn’t be an easy match.
“They had the weekend off as well,” he said. “They have to come up here.
“They’re always tough physically. They are older and more mature.
“We have a fair idea what to expect but playing it is two different things.”
The Gators were able to keep their momentum going against the Steelers, winning 63-41.
It was a slow start for the Gators, who scored just four points in the first quarter, before they kicked into gear and came away with the convincing win.
Jessica Rarity top scored with 15 points for the Gators.
The Gators sit second on the ladder with a 10-4 record.
As well as their women’s side being on track for finals, both their youth league sides are also playing well.
Their youth league women lost to the Kilsyth Cobras, 79-73 on Saturday night before losing to the Keilor Thunder on Sunday, 75-59.
The youth league men’s side beat the Wallan Panthers, 86-73. The side sits on top with 14 wins for the season.
Shanklin said it was exciting for the future.
“They are awesome and they’ve had some good individual performances to get the win,” he said of the girls.
“It’s really exciting for the club that the youth league men are undefeated. It’s a big deal for us.”
Meanwhile. the Gators division 1 men’s side lost to the Steelers, 102-86.
Nick Formosa and Jalen Salon top scored with 20 points.
The Gators sit in ninth spot with three wins for the season.
