Tara Murray
Altona Gators are backing themselves in for the back part of the Big V men’s division 1 competition.
The Gators sit in fifth spot heading into the final round, with the top five to play finals.
Coach Josh Turton said they were confident if they kept playing their basketball they would make finals in their first season back up in division 1.
“Looking at the fixture we can slide into fourth spot if results go our way,” he said. “We will take it as it comes.
“We’re really happy with how we’ve gone this season. We’ve lost five game by two points or less and we lost one by five points.
“You don’t expect to win them all, but you win three of those games you sit third or fourth.
“We’re not getting carried away with where we are, we’re just focusing on the process.
Turton said the group had a really positive vibe and were focused on locking in their finals spot in the next couple of weeks.
He said this year had been a very different one to last year, when they claimed the division 2 championship.
‘“Last year I was a young coach winning a championship in my first year,” he said. “This year we have more losses than wins
“It is challenging and you have to build the mental fortitude and we’ve done that. The boys get along really well and that helps.
“The next three to four weeks we want to build on what we are doing.”
The Gators have struggled to get their whole team on court for much of the season, with illness and injury.
Turton even missed a game due to being in hospital.
After having their full side the last couple of weeks, Nick Patel will miss the last two games of the regular season.
Turton said they were full of confidence they could face off against any side.
“We beat RMIT by 30 points,” he said. “They were wounded though.
“Whittlesea we feel confident with even though they have beaten us both times. The guys are hungry for the challenge and they seek it out.
“We’ve beaten all the top five teams besides Whittlesea. It doesn’t matter where we finish.
“If we play our ball we can beat anyone.”
The Gators were at home to Warrnambool Seahawks on Sunday in round 17 action.
The Gators had the game in their control, before the Seahawks came hard late, with the Gators winning, 74-72.
Tyson Burton top scored with 20 points coming off the bench.
Altona will face fourth placed Bulleen Boomers in the final round.
In the women’s division 1 competition, the Gators have all but locked in a finals spot.
On Sunday, the Gators beat the Chelsea Gulls, 76-63. A 30-18 final quarter sealed the win for the Gators.
Tyla Paraha top scored with 20 points.
