Tara Murray
Two years of hard work has paid off with the Altona Gators women’s side through to the Big V division 2 grand final series.
Having been on top of the ladder last season when it ended early due to COVID-19, the Gators were on a mission this year to go back and do it all again.
On Sunday, they ticked another box making it through to the grand final.
The Gators were able to hold off the RMIT Redbacks, winning 73-67.
Gators coach Cameron Wilkosz said it was a relief to have finally made the grand final. It was the fourth time the two sides have faced off, with this the second thriller.
“It was a classic finals game and there were momentum swings throughout,” he said.
“We got out to a lead and they fought back and they got a lead on us.
“We got a classic finals game. We deserve to be in the grand final.
“We lost six games in the last two years. This is two years in the making.”
Wilkosz said they were trying to keep calm on the side lines when the Redbacks were hitting back.
He said it was captain Jess Rarity, who really stepped up when needed. He said Rarity was inspirational.
“Jess told everyone with that hot head mentality to pull your fingers out,” he said.
“She said have a crack and what happened next was leading by example the next possession on a plus-one lay up.
“We’re blessed to have had her since her junior days. She could be playing at a higher level if she wanted to.
“If we go up, she’ll still play at the same level.”
Rarity finished with 18 points, while Sharna Appleby top scored with 28 points.
The Gators will now face the Mornington Breakers in a best-of-three grand final series. The Breakers won the last match between the two teams in earlier in the finals.
Wilkosz said they had a score to settle in the best-of-three grand final series.
“They are the only team we haven’t beaten this year,” he said.
“It’s an important game one at home this coming week. They’re such an impressive team on paper, we have to beat them on the court.”
With the first game on their home court, Wilkosz said this was a chance to give back to the people at Altona who do a lot of hard work behind the scenes.
“Last year was our first year back in the competition since 2017 when we went 0-20 and didn’t come close to winning a game,” he said.
“We’ve come a long way and other people are involved as much as the achievement on the court.
“The youth girls have finished their season and Randy [Shanklin] is still at every training. It’s a one club mentality.
“It means just as much to everyone else as it does for us.”
