ALTONA Gators have blamed a static offence for their low-scoring, season-opening 80-63 loss to Melbourne University Black Angels in the Big V basketball men’s division 1 on Sunday.
The Gators, small by comparison to a Black Angels team brimming with inside presence, rely heavily on an up-tempo, running style of game under coach Randy Shanklin.
This has become more important since the departure of centre James Guljas. Past coaches ran a lot of their offence through him because he could be used as a get-out option with the shot clock counting down.
Shanklin was left frustrated by the slow burn of his team’s offence and said his side was its own worst enemy.
“Their size got to us a bit — four of their guys are bigger than our biggest guy,” he told the Weekly. “We also didn’t help ourselves on the offensive end.
“We were not getting off enough shots and if you play at a slow tempo, you’re playing into the hands of their bigger guys.”
Shanklin conceded the Gators’ offensive strategies are a work in progress. He said it might take months, not weeks, before it’s fully bedded down.
One area he could not fault was their defence. In particular, Shaun Phelan, who had 20 points, four blocks, three rebounds and two steals, and Craig Martin, with 13 points, seven rebounds and two blocks, competed well in the paint against bigger opponents. “We had a problem in the middle during the pre-season tournament,” Shanklin said.
“I’m proud of the way they have turned it around in a week and really stood up against them.”
Vice-captain Joey Mausar was the pick of the guards. He finished with 12 points, but also got his hands dirty on the defensive end.
“Joey did a lot of those little things that don’t show up on the stats sheet,” Shanklin said. “He played well defensively.”
The Gators hit the road on Saturday night for a clash with impressive round one winners Craigieburn Eagles.
Men’s division 1: Altona Gators 63 Melbourne University Black Angels 80
