Another round of the Country Basketball League season is in the books as the men’s and women’s Shepparton Gators defended home soil at the weekend.
On Saturday, October 28, the men took on Mansfield Eagles and the women played the Wodonga Wolves at Shepparton Sports Stadium.
The women got the ball bouncing at 6pm, trailing by two following a back-and-forth first quarter 16-18.
Wodonga put them to the sword in the second and pulled away with a 14-point lead at the half.
It was more of the same in the second half, Shepparton struggling to contain and keep up with Wodonga’s blistering offence, ultimately losing 40-62.
Star Wodonga duo Jessica Freeman and Elizabeth Murphy put up a stunning 45 points combined.
Murphy combined a couple of threes with a barage of layups and mid-range shots on her way to a game-high 23 points.
Freeman made the paint her own all night, scoring the majority of her 22 at the rim or from the free-throw line.
For Shepparton, Sarah Carr stood out with 12, all from within the three-point line.
Tamica Tunomafono remained consistent with nine and Jordyn Commadeur cashed Shepparton’s only three of the game.
The women have a bye this week before playing at home once more, clashing with Albury Cougars on Saturday, November 11, at 6pm.
They sit fourth on the North East Women CBL ladder with a record of one win and three losses.
The men tipped off at 8pm and immediately went at Mansfield, tallying up 30 points in the first quarter, good for an 11-point lead.
They remained dominant in the second before managing a reasonably even second half to rack up a 98-72 win.
Everyone got in on the action, with four players contributing more than 15 points.
Liam Dodd had 16, showing his touch at the rim and physical prowess.
Big brother and Big V forward Nick Dodd one-upped him, pouring in a game-high 23, completely owning the paint at both ends.
Fellow Big V Gator Tom Frame remained electric after his 23 against Seymour the previous week, putting up 21 in a three-level display.
Frame showed his ability to drive to the rim and finish with floaters and layups alongside his faithful jump shot.
Player-coach Dylan Wayman led from the front, splashing in four three-pointers on his way to 19 points.
The Gators sit fifth on the North East Men CBL ladder, with a record of three wins and two losses.
They also have a bye before returning to the Swamp for a double-header.
They play Albury Cougars at 8pm on Saturday, November 11, at Shepparton Sports Stadium.
The next day they’re up against Myrtleford Saints at 2pm at home once more.