By Tim Doutré
ALTONA Gators Big V Division Three women started its inaugural basketball finals campaign off on a sour note on Sunday.
The Gators went down to the Camberwell Dragons 39-45 in the first semi-final in a best of three series.
It was an entertaining clash with both sides pushing each other for four quarters. The lead changed 14 times with scores level three times throughout the match.
The Dragons travelled to the Altona Sports Centre and were on top early, taking a three-point lead into the first change – 10-7.
The Gators were still well and truly in the match and showed as much in the second term but the Dragons had the answers to inch four points in front by half-time.
The third term saw more of the same with the Gators coming at the visiting side but the Dragons able to keep their noses in front.
The score at the final change saw the Gators down by six points with the scene set for a tense fourth quarter.
The Gators came out firing and were down by a point five minutes into the term, but the Dragons pulled away to take the match by six points.
For the Gators, Jayne-Maree Sant top scored with 12 points and pulled in nine rebounds – seven in the offensive end.
Jade Stoneman scored eight for the match with Carlie Broome (six) and Nicole Eames (five) also contributing.
The Gators now look to Game Two this Saturday at Waverley Basketball Centre.
Altona’s Youth League Two men’s team in its first year in the division came out of its first home final with a four-point win against Coburg.
The Gators led by a game-high 22 points from Matthew Papanicolaou, 15 from Param Singh and 14 apiece from Nathan Wapshott and Shaun Phelan, leading at every change to take the elimination final.
They face Sunbury this Saturday in a preliminary final showdown.
