Coach Matthew Paton has walked away content from the penultimate weekend of the NBL1 South women’s regular season despite the Hoop City Geelong United Supercats splitting their road-home double.
After falling to fellow finalists Ringwood in a nail-biter at Norwood Secondary College on Friday night, after co-captain Jess Scannell couldn’t get a three-point shot on the buzzer to drop, United had to stave off a determined Ballarat at Geelong Arena on Saturday night.
With the Miners doing all they could to get off the bottom of the ladder in club great Kristi Rinaldi’s 350th game, Paton’s roster did enough to squeeze out an 84-79 victory to ensure a home final and keep alive their top-four hopes.
“A lot of people look at ladder positions and read too much into that,” Coach Paton said.
“Especially with the nature of the scheduling; teams catching teams on the backend of double-headers, fatigue and injury.
“There a lot of teams carrying some adversity at the moment, including ourselves.
“I think, all things considered, it’s not a bad result for us to at least maintain our spot on the ladder and lock in a home final.”
Chantel Horvat made a stunning return from Asia Cup duties with the Opals.
She scored 26 points both nights, including shooting at 63 per cent against Ringwood, while also averaging 13.5 rebounds.
Japan National Team member Monica Okoye had 11 points and five rebounds coming off the bench against Ringwood in her first game for Geelong United since early May.
She returned to the starting lineup in the absence of Ella Tofaeono against Ballarat, finishing with 12 points, six assists, five rebounds, and two steals.
“We’ve had very limited practice with them leading into this weekend’s game,” Coach Paton said.
“They’re such key pieces of any roster that they’re used to having a certain amount of ball, and possession, and shots.
“With Chantel and her ability to float between the perimeter and the post, it’s going to take a little time to click.
“With Monica having been away for such a long time, reintegrating her will be a challenge for us, but one that we welcome having a player of her class back on the roster.”
Co-captain Sarah Elsworthy produced another stunning weekend.
After 14 points, five rebounds, five steals and four rebounds at Ringwood, Elsworthy produced 20 points on 62 per cent shooting, seven assists, six steals, and five rebounds against the Miners.
The win over Ballarat helped Geelong United claim the inaugural Mark Leader Shield despite the men suffering a narrow loss to the Miners.
A home meeting with Keilor Thunder (16th, 6-14) at Geelong Arena on Saturday night, followed by a trip to Waverley (2nd, 16-4), will determine whether United can claim a top-four berth.
Winning both games is a must for that to happen, with results involving the Falcons, Mt Gambier and Frankston likely to come into play.
Tickets for Saturday night’s Dry July matchup with the Thunder are on sale now via bit.ly/3JspNN5
