Keilor Thunder kept its National Basketball League 1 South season alive, but is sweating on scans after another injury.
The Thunder have been pulled from pillar to post and on Saturday night showed their resilience to beat the Waverley Falcons and win through to the preliminary finals.
It wasn’t an easy win and the Thunder had to regroup with import Jasmine Dickey was the latest player to be added to the injury list.
Coach Kristi Harrower said Dickey suffered a knee injury, but they were unsure of the severity
“Another injury,” she said. “Jas went down early in the second quarter and we’re already running really thin.
“She’ll get scans done and see where she is. We’re more worried about her health as the person than the impact on the team.”
Harrower though was super proud of the group how they continue to soldier on as there’s more pressure on the rest of the playing group.
Two other players are out with season ending injuries, while Kasey Burton is also on the sidelines.
On Saturday night, the Thunder led by six points at quarter time and that was out to 10 points at the main break.
The Falcons kept chipping away at the lead and it was back to seven points at the final break.
Keilor managed to do enough to win 86-81.
“The group that was here last year saw it as a bit of a redemption game,” Harrower said. “We didn’t really speak about it and the group is different but this was big.”
Maddy Rocci starred for the Thunder with 28 points, nine assists and three steals.
Harrower said it was always going to take some time to get her back into it after missing several weeks with injury.
“She struggled first game back, which is normal after four weeks,” she said. “Issie also missed four weeks. They have to get back into it.
“Rocci got fouled off in the end when we needed her to try and stay on the floor, but she played so well and was in control, not out of control.”
Harrower said Penina Davidson was back to her best against Carley Ernst and showed why she had been so important to the team last season.
The performance of Macey Boyle was another big one in the win.
Having already played 33 minutes and scored 27 for the Thunder’s youth league side just hours beforehand, Boyle had to play big minutes backing it up.
“She played a huge role,” Harrower said. “Jas started on Bec Cole and then Macey had to step up and help bring us home.
“She did a good job on her.”
Harrower also praised the home crowd at Keilor for supporting them.
The Thunder now face the Knox Raiders on Saturday night with a grand final spot on the line.
Harrower said anything is possible
The Thunder’s youth league Big V women’s side is through to the grand final next weekend, which Harrower said was pretty special.
She said the two competitions need to work together to ensure finals aren’t crossing over so teams have the opportunity to play their best sides and the next generation gets there opportunity at a higher level.
