NEWCASTLE Hunters men and women face crucial games against Waratah Basketball League heavyweights Manly-Warringah at Manly this Saturday night.
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Both sexes suffered heart-stopping, three-point losses last Saturday night against Hornsby Spiders at Newcastle Basketball Stadium.
The women fought back to get within three points in the dying seconds of the match when youngster Jasmine Forcadilla took two rushed shots to tie the game, but both were wide of the mark in the 58-55 loss. It was the same result for the men who trailed the entire match before Matt Holmes was thrown the ball in a desperate last-second attempt to take the game into overtime, but his shot hit the rim and bounced out.
Coach Peter Astley was disappointed because a win for the women’s team would have secured them a play-off position, but he was proud of the effort the girls produced to claw their way into the game.
Men’s coach Larry Davidson faced a different proposition, with the Hunters men almost out of playoff contention after suffering their eighth loss in 11 games to be last on the ladder.
Davidson conceded this Saturday night would be a tough task against the competition leaders, but was confident his side could beat anyone if they played to their potential.
“The first thing we have to start doing is shoot the ball better,” Davidson said.
Sophie Kleeman was the star for the women with 16 points and nine rebounds. Guard Martin Roberts had a great game in the men’s 72-69 loss with 16 points, six rebounds, three assists and two blocked shots.