By RUSSELL BENNETT
THE Pakenham Warriors Big V women’s basketball side is sick of losing.
Coach Darren Thomas’ team went through its whole debut campaign in Division 2 winless, and so far that’s continued through their first five games of 2016.
They’ve experienced the bitter taste of defeat enough, and are doing everything they can to record what would be a famous first win.
The group has continued to stick together, making marked improvements along the way, but now it’s about translating those into numbers in the win column on the ladder.
The Warriors’ women’s side is in it for the long haul. Thomas knows there’s more to it than wins and losses, but right now the ledger isn’t exactly tilted in his side’s favour.
“We still need to have some success because we didn’t win any games last season and we haven’t yet this year either,” he said.
“This is supposed to be an elite competition so we still need to make sure we’re competitive and not just turning up and getting beaten convincingly.
“Our first nine rounds last year we had an average losing margin of 46 points.
“For the second nine we got that down to 36, which is better, but that’s still around the 40 mark.
“We’re still moving in the right direction this season, but our first quarters are killing us. Take away our first quarters and we’re in games.”
From winning quarters, the Warriors now need to start winning games. They’ve dramatically lowered their turnover count, and they’re putting up more shots. The statistics are starting to turn in their favour, but they need to see that translating.
“When we run our offenses we get good shots,” Thomas said.
“When we do actually run them, they work.
“The challenge we have is that our intensity at training hasn’t been where it’s needed to be so the only time we get exposed to the high pressure on our shots is game day.”
But the playing group is sticking together – now disappointed with every loss, rather than simply being pleased with their effort.
When that first win comes – look out. The celebrations could be unprecedented.
The Pakenham Warriors Big V Division 2 women’s side will this Saturday night head to Melbourne University to take on the home side from 6.30pm. Following that, their next opportunity for a win will come at Coburg against the Giants from 6.30pm on 7 May.
