Five points was all that separated Shepparton Gators’ under-18 division one boys from a win at their home tournament at the weekend.
Competing in Greater Shepparton Basketball Association’s junior tournament, the Gators would fall at the final hurdle to Wodonga.
But the in-form side started the tournament in resounding fashion, securing dominant wins over Portland (44-25) and Echuca (56-26) to kick-start the weekend in style.
After a shock defeat to Warnambool in round four, the Gators responded on Sunday with a 54-27 domination of Horsham to book their grand final ticket.
However, it wasn’t to be for the young side which went down to Wodonga 38-33.
Under-18 mentor Dylan Wayman said but for a lapse in concentration in the final the boys couldn’t be faulted after another impressive tournament.
“It was still a good weekend nonetheless, we made the grand final in our home tournament which was the aim,” Wayman said.
“The boys played hard all weekend, we came up short in the end because we switched off for six minutes and that cost us the game in the end.”
Warnambool Seahawks proved too strong for the Gators in round four and recorded a 49-43 win, leaving Wayman and his men with a do-or-die encounter with Horsham on Sunday.
“We set ourselves a challenge going into Sunday knowing we had to win to make the grand final and the boys put in an excellent performance to ensure that we would be there,” Wayman said.
“The boys battled exceptionally hard.”
After holding a nine-point lead at three-quarter time in the decider, unforced errors and a change in momentum in the final enabled Wodonga to run away with it.
“We came out and threw a couple of unnecessary passes and they capitalised on turnover,” Wayman said.
“Wodonga got a little bit of momentum, we had some opportunities late and couldn’t capitalise, but that is what it is — that’s part of basketball.”
Overall the Gators coach said the group had come away from the tournament excited and “hungry” for what’s to come.
“I’m super proud of the boys, it was a tremendous effort, I can’t be upset with how things went,” he said.
“We’ll get back on the bike and come ready to put in the hard yards, things will come our way with the hard work we put in.”
Wayman said his side would enjoy a well-earned rest over Christmas before returning for a number of big events in the new year.
“The boys have a break now, we’ll come back mid-January ready to work before we go off to Bendigo,” Wayman said.
“We’re setting our targets high again, we believe that we’re one of the top teams in the age group and that’s how we play.”