Tara Murray
Keilor Thunder is hoping to take some strong form into its first National Basketball League 1 South women’s finals series.
The Thunder finished the regular season in second spot after splitting its two final round matches.
The second of those matches was against the Knox Raiders, with the win giving the Raiders the minor premiership
Thunder coach Krisiti Harrower said heading into the final round that both its matches were important.
“We win both those matches, we finish top,” she said. “It’s a massive weekend for us.
“We didn’t have a good game against the Dandenong Rangers a couple of weeks ago, We have had to refocus and regroup and get ready for finals.
“We have been working hard the last couple of weeks and focusing on things we have to focus on.”
Harrower said while disappointed to lose to the Rangers, only their second loss of the season, they took plenty of positives out of it.
She said it was a good thing for them.
“Sometimes when you keep winning you don’t focus on things that you need to,” he said.
“It’s really good to refocus and regroup and work hard on things.
“We’re getting ready for this weekend and finals the week after.”
Harrower said they would have taken the season they had at the start of the year.
She said she’s been surprised by the way the group has gone.
“They are such a good group to coach,” she said. “We don’t have any egos or high maintenance.
“They make my job easier.”
The Thunder’s finals boosts have received a boost with guard Maddy Rocci to be present for the rest of the season.
Roocci had been in contention to make the Olympics team, but missed out despite strong performances in all the lead up games.
Harrower, who represented Australia at ?? Games, said missing out is one of the hardest things to go through.
“Being selfish, it is good for us,” she said. “The Olympics are the pinnacle.
“The only good thing for Maddy and it’s hard to tell her, she still has another two or three Olympics depending on how long she wants to play for.
“It’s tough for her at the moment and it’s not something you get over in a couple of days. It takes some time.
“She had her support group around her and we’re lucky to have her back and she’ll play a big role for the team.
“She is a leader of the group and good to have her back.”
It will be a first finals series for the Thunder in their third season in the NBL1 South women’s competition.
Harrower said they need to go out with confidence and belief and it should hold them in good stead.
“Whatever happens, happens,” she said.”
It was heartbreak for the men’s side which suffered two final rounds matches to slip out of the top eight.
The Thunder finished with the same amount of wins as eighth, but had a poorer percentage.
