Shepparton Gators are making a late run up the Big V division one basketball ladder after recording their third win in a row at home on Saturday.
After winning both games as part of a home double-header on July 3 and 4, the Gators turned up the heat on Warrandyte during the weekend's action, winning in emphatic fashion 81 to 53, to lift themselves to .500 after 16 matches.
The team's ability to build a lead and not let the opposition back in impressed coach Josh Waight.
“It's absolutely fantastic,” Waight said.
“We did a very good job of building a lead and maintaining it and not letting them in at any stage.
“We did a really good job of moving the ball and getting it through many hands and making the right decisions.
“It's something we have been working on and to see it being implemented was fantastic.”
Waight was impressed by the game of Ian Wright, who was one of five players to score double figures.
“Ian Wright did a really good job,” he said.
“He shot really well and did a good job defensively, but there was an even contribution from everyone.
“We keep harping on that we want to do that (share the scoring around) every week and to see it a couple of weeks in a row is fantastic.
“We need to make sure we continue to do that.”
Wright was the top-scorer for the home side with 17 points, while Matt Bartlett (14), Nick Dodd (13), Sam Beks (12) and Dylan Wayman (10) shared the load around.
Shepparton, which now sits in sixth and one win off fourth on the standings, has six matches remaining — three against the top three and the others against teams in the bottom three placings.
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