Aaron Dolny hit a game winning three for Shepparton Gators.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
After a courageous effort on the road against Big V Championship heavyweight Hume City, Shepparton Gators found themselves down by two with six seconds left and their season hanging in the balance.
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It was Saturday night, July 19, and the sixth-placed Gators had bounced back impressively after a tough loss the previous week, taking it right up to the second-placed Broncos, a side that had dropped three games all season.
With the scores locked inside the final 30 seconds, Shepparton forced a tough shot that air-balled, but a Hume attacker was in the right place at the right time, tipping it in to take the lead.
As head coach Josh Waight called a timeout, the Gators walked solemnly back to the bench.
One chance remained to pull off a stunning upset.
American forward Ryan Batte had been in vintage form all night, torching the Hume defence for 32 points with slick, efficient scoring from all over the court.
Ryan Batte leads the Gators in points and assists.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Cool and composed, Waight drew up a play to get the ball back in Batte’s hands.
He received it at the top as sharpshooter Aaron Dolny came up to set a screen.
Both defenders chased Batte, leaving Dolny wide open as he slipped into space.
With defenders closing in, Batte jumped, spun in mid-air and zipped a pinpoint left-handed pass into Dolny’s shooting pocket.
The crowd held its breath as the Hume defence desperately scrambled to try and contest the shot.
Dolny let it fly.
The ball hit nothing but net as the final buzzer sounded.
Aaron Dolny has made 54 three pointers this season.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Shepparton erupted.
The Hume crowd stood stunned.
The Gators had done it, stealing a 90–89 win on the road in dramatic fashion.
“I knew Ryan was going to make the pass as soon as I was open,” Dolny said.
“He does a phenomenal job of reading the floor and making the right decision.
“I’ve had some pretty timely threes in my career, but none top this one.
“It was very special to have my family there in the crowd and to be able to share the moment with all the guys.
“To see all the excitement on everyone’s faces and to be embraced like that by your teammates is something I’ll carry with me forever.”
Dolny finished with 21 points, his second consecutive 20-point game, while Shepparton now finds itself one spot outside finals with three games to play.
“Definitely one that we had circled on our calendars,” Dolny said.
“Emotions were pretty high as you’d expect, to get a win like that on the road against a top team is really positive for our momentum.
“We had full confidence that we were going to come away with a win, no matter what it was going to take.
“Everyone played a really important role and did exactly what was required.
Top performers
Ryan Batte: 32 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals
Bryce Brown: 22 points, 11 rebounds
Aaron Dolny: 21 points, 4 rebounds
“I think that’s something really special we have in Shepparton that separates us.”
The Gators now turn their attention to fifth-placed RMIT, which visits Shepparton Sports Stadium this Saturday night, July 26, at 7pm in another crucial clash.
This game will also mark the annual Bill McCarthy Memorial Game.
McCarthy was a passionate advocate for regional basketball, covering the sport in Horsham, Casterton, Wangaratta and Shepparton, where he received multiple awards for his contributions while working at The News.
He was awarded the Jack Terrill Medal in 2007 by the Victorian Country Basketball Council for outstanding service to the game.
Greater Shepparton Basketball Association established the memorial game in 2016 in honour of his legacy.
Shepparton will then face Melbourne University on Sunday afternoon, July 27, in the second leg of a pivotal double-header.
