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Shepparton Gators step up and battle through injuries

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Injured imports Jayden Coke and Devin Thomas give support from the sideline. Photo by Megan Fisher

It was a game Shepparton Gators should not have been able to win.

On Saturday night, May 25, in round eight of the Big V Championship, the Gators welcomed Camberwell to Shepparton Sports Stadium after star Canadian import Jayden Coke had dislocated his thumb the previous weekend and American import Devin Thomas and Benalla big man Lachy Kego went down at training during the week.

Defensive Player of the Year from last season Nick Dodd also remained out.

The squad was so injury-plagued that assistant coach Ian Wright had to come out of retirement an hour before the game to fill a gap.

Much to Wright’s relief, he was not needed in the end.

Kiwi point guard Josh Kooiman led the team, joined in the backcourt by defensive workhorse Tom Frame.

This was Frame’s last game of the season before travelling abroad.

Tom Frame like a candle in the wind. Photo by Megan Fisher

Vice-captain Sam Beks and New Zealand shooter Dylan Wilkie were brought into the starting line-up, alongside Tyler Best.

Usually off the bench, vice-captain Sam Beks stepped up in his best performance of the season. Photo by Megan Fisher

This was Best’s third game for the Gators, after joining the team midway through the season after his college season in America finished.

The young player from Seymour was recruited at the start of the season and has come in to supplement the loss of Frame.

If this game was an audition, he would’ve walked away with the lead role.

Tyler Best finishes through traffic. Photo by Megan Fisher

Best was dominant on both ends, making up for Shepparton’s injured big men by picking up 11 rebounds.

On offence, he was aggressive from the jump, punishing mismatches and bullying his way to the basket for easy points.

He added a few threes on his way to 19 points.

Kiwi snipers Kooiman and Wilkie also poured in points, with three triples each.

Typically a spot-up player, Dylan Wilkie did not miss on any of his shots within the three-point line. Photo by Megan Fisher

The undermanned Gators were firing on all cylinders, getting out to a 20-point lead in the third quarter.

Camberwell wasn’t going to roll over, staging a late comeback in the final period.

With the score 87-83, Shepparton was inbounding the ball with about a minute left.

Best was the receiver, but his defender made a play at the pass, Best feeling like he was fouled.

The referee did not agree and the Camberwell player stripped the ball from Best, running out into open court to cash in a wide-open layup.

With not a single player past the half-court line and a chance to make it a one possession game, he fumbled the ball out of bounds.

The travelling Camberwell bench held its heads in horror.

Camberwell was still very much in the game, with more turnovers from Shepparton keeping the door wide open for late drama.

Camberwell had the ball down three with 30 seconds left.

It attempted to throw a pass into its big man, before Best dived over and swatted it into the arms of Frame, capping his stellar performance with the game-winning play.

Kooiman was then sent to the line for free-throws, converting both and sealing the victory for the home side, with the final score 90-85.

Josh Kooiman was a steady offensive force as a playmaker and scorer. Photo by Megan Fisher

Coach Josh Waight said with many of the players forced to play a bigger role with the injuries, he challenged them to give the coaches something to think about.

“People got a chance to step up and they did a great job,” Waight said.

“They definitely earned some more minutes.”

Best said he was told by Waight to come out and be aggressive and that he was filled with confidence coming into the contest.

“Credit to them, they came out playing in the fourth quarter,” Best said.

“We knew they would go on a run, you just have to stay calm and stick to what you know.

“It’s great to get a win this week.

Tyler Best was a beast on the boards. Photo by Megan Fisher

“It’s tough to come in, I’ve only been here two weeks and I’m trying to fast-track through everything and learn how they play.

“My teammates and the coaching staff have been great at trusting me to play my game while implementing me into how the team plays.”

Best heaped praise on a packed out Shepparton Sports Stadium and said the Swamp was rocking in a way he’d never experienced before.

“These guys (the fans) are awesome,” Best said.

“Obviously I’ve only been here for two weekends, but I’ve watched the games online, I’ve seen the videos and pictures of the crowds.

“They pack that whole stand and then you’ve got all these people behind the bench.

“The kids and everyone are so loud and it gives us such a great home-court advantage that no other club has.

“It’s awesome to be a part of and awesome to play in front of.”

Shepparton Gators continue to fight to make their way up the table, sitting at eighth with one win less than third place.

They travel to take on Melbourne University on Saturday, June 1, at 8.30pm.

Top performers

Tyler Best: 19 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals

Josh Kooiman: 21 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal

Dylan Wilkie: 19 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal

Sam Beks: 10 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal

Dylan Wilkie takes it to the rack. Photo by Megan Fisher
Josh Kooiman had seven assists on the night. Photo by Megan Fisher
Tom Frame ended his season with a home win. Photo by Megan Fisher
Sam Beks strikes a pose. Photo by Megan Fisher
Veteran and captain Matt Bartlett hit some big shots on his way to 10 points off the bench. Photo by Megan Fisher
Tom Frame on the drive. Photo by Megan Fisher
Sam Beks tries an acrobatic finish. Photo by Megan Fisher
Young Jordan Munro got an opportunity with all the injuries, taking the roof off with a three-pointer. Photo by Megan Fisher
Josh Kooiman on the attack. Photo by Megan Fisher
Sam Beks fights for the rebound. Photo by Megan Fisher
Tom Frame lines one up. Photo by Megan Fisher