A brave Altona Gators fell short of achieving their championship dream in Big V women’s division 2.
After losing game one of the best-of-three grand final series, the Gators needed to win game two on Saturday night to keep the series alive against the Mornington Breakers.
It wasn’t to be with the Gators, losing 76-61.
Gators coach Cameron Wilkosz said that the girls gave it all in the end, but it wasn’t enough.
“We got really close,” he said. “We got two within two points with five minutes to go and had a lay up to tie the scores.
“We had fought so hard to get back into it, but it fell apart from there.”
The Gators limped to the finish line with just seven players able to take to the court with three players out injured
Starters Sharna Appleby, Taylah Lea and Jalyen-rose Hawea all played, but had it been a regular season possibly wouldn’t have played due to injuries.
Injuries had been the tale of the story for the Gators throughout the season, with the side rarely having their full squad available.
Skipper Jess Rarity led the way for the Gators with 22 points including 17 in the first half.
Sarah Parsons, who has more than 300 games experience in the old South East Australia Basketball League, was one player the Gators couldn’t stop.
She was one of four players to hit double figures for the Breakers.
“We took on them four times this year and came up short in all four of them,” Wilkosz said.
“They were able to execute better than we did. They recruited really well after winning two games the season before.
“They 100 per cent deserved to win the title.”
Wilkosz said he was proud of the playing group and what they had achieved the last couple of years after returning in the competition.
He has no doubt this is only the beginning.
“We’ve won the most game in the competition in the last two year what this group has been able to do with a bunch of local players, I’m so proud,” he said.
“I don’t think you’ll find more motivation than what this group has. Wherever we fall next year there won’t be a more motivated group.
“There were tears last night, but if the season started next week, they would be ready to go.
Appleby and Rarity were both recognsied by their peers, named in the all-star five team. Rarity was also named the defensive player of the year.
Wilkosz said both players deserved the accolades they had received.
