IT WILL be a third straight grand final appearance for the Lady Hornets after a strong defensive display saw the side over the line in its semi-final against Kyneton Tigers on Saturday evening.
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The home side led from start to finish to record a 57-47 win in order to move into the February 10 decider.
Coach Gareth Hiscock said his side fought really hard to overcome the Tigers.
“Our defensive structures were really good,” he said.
“Jess Mangan has been averaging more than 20 points a game to lead Kyneton’s scoring this season and we kept her down to seven. As I said before the game, it was all about our defensive structures being good and then getting an even spread offensively.”
Despite a lack of match practice the side looked the better side throughout the semi-final.
After not playing a game for 48 days the Lady Hornets could have been forgiven for being a little scratchy.
By the end of the first quarter the side led 13-9 and continued to build from that point on.
“We struggled to finish some of our good work because of the lack of match practice but I think it was a game where we were pretty much in control from the start,” Hiscock said.
“We just needed to be patient at times in order to get that reward for effort.”
By half-time the lead had stretched to 13 points with Caitlin Storey and Ema Iredell leading the way.
Hiscock said Kyneton’s height was its strength, which made it important for Storey to stand up.
“For Caitlin to compete really hard on the boards and then end up dropping eighteen points was a really good effort,” he said. “The Kyneton talls are really strong defensively so for her to grind out those 18 points was just great.”
Throughout the second half the home side continued to keep its opposition at bay despite uncharacteristic missed shots.
An 11-point margin at the final break grew as large as 15 during the fourth quarter before the game ended 57-47.
“You could still see that it was always going to come,” Hiscock said.
“Ema Iredell was great again. Georgia Hiscock was strong defensively and she was able to turn that defence into attack really quickly.
“It was great to have Liv Jones back out on the court and all the ones we expected to stand up did.”
He said he thought a chance in the grand final was what his side deserved.
“We’ve played some really good basketball this season and I think it would have been an injustice if they didn’t get that chance,” he said.
With attentions now turning toward the grand final it will be business as usual during the week for the side.
Jess Cannane’s rolled ankle will be monitored during the week in an effort to have her available while the side will welcome back Maddie Iredell, who was unavailable for the semi-final.
“We’re pretty used to being there for the grand final,” Hiscock said.
“This is a different group and it will be a different opponent so its all about this game for us.”