A performance full of intensity from the opening tip to the final siren has earned the Hoop City Geelong United Supercats women a spot in NBL1 South final four following a stunning 86-76 win over Mt Gambier on Friday night.
Four weeks after being on the end of a 35-point hiding from the Pioneers at Wulanda Recreation & Convention Centre, Geelong United got some impressive revenge to book a home preliminary final at Geelong Arena on Saturday, August 5.
“It’s a performance I knew we were capable of,” coach Matthew Paton said.
“We’ve been building for a while now, and I’m just really pleased for the girls that they were able to put it all together with a performance like that when it mattered most.”
QUALIFYING FINAL | BOX SCORE & FULL REPLAY
After the Supercats and Pioneers traded baskets in the opening minute of the contest at Wulanda Recreation & Convention Centre, an Eve Braslis three-pointer gave the visitors a lead they would never surrender.
Geelong United led by 11 points at quarter-time before starting the second period with an 8-0 run that Mt Gambier never really recovered from.
Former Supercat Zitina Aokuso scored consecutive baskets late in the first half for the Pioneers to cut the margin to 15 points at the main break.
However, a 9-2 run midway through the third quarter effectively put the contest to bed as the margin jumped to 22 points.
Geelong United struggled to score through the opening three minutes of the final period, with Chantel Horvat providing a timely basket to make the margin 14 points after the Pioneers failed to make the most of several defensive stops.
It did get out to as much as 18 points, with two late three-pointers from Isabella Brancatisano bringing the final margin to ten points.
Coach Paton was pleased with his roster’s intensity for most of the contest.
“We have played with that intensity in patches during the season,” he said. “We’ve been able to compete to the level of a lot of our opponents in games, and tonight was a good example of playing to our own level.
“With all due respect to the way Mt Gambier played, the girls executed the gameplan very well and had each other’s backs throughout.
“We went into this game feeling like we were a little bit dismissed in the leadup; “Geelong’s not too bad either”.
“And the players, I think, took a lot of that personally and wore the underdog tag with pride tonight.”
Co-captain Sarah Elsworthy again never left the floor for the entire night.
She scored 18 points and dished four assists in again marshalling her troops to perfection.
“She’s a Rolls-Royce of a point guard, and we’re blessed to have her on our roster,” Coach Paton said.
“To be able to have a workhorse like that went up against Brancatisano, (Miela) Goodchild and (Sherrie) Calleia and never take a backward step, she just shows her value and worth every week.
“We’re really proud of the way she battled, and she’ll enjoy the weekend off.”
Chantel Horvat (18 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, two steals, two blocks) and Ella Tofaeono (16 points, nine rebounds, one block) ensured Geelong United won the interior battle.
Both thrived on the physicality of the contest.
“It was interesting – and pleasing – the way the game was officiated,” Coach Paton said.
“The way the players were allowed to decide the match.
“That physicality, Ella, in particular, really thrived in being able to create and maintain with their post players.
“Ella’s been building to a game like that. She’s had some great statistical games against some smaller opponents.
“But there’s no shying away from the fact that Zitina Aokuso, Haliegh Reinoehl and Cass Brown are all her height or taller, and she battled all night.
Aokuso, Reinoeh and Goodchild each scored 15 points for Mt Gambier.
Brown torched the Supercats for 39 points in Round 11 and was limited to just three points on 1-4 shooting.
The Pioneers will now host the winner of the Sandringham-Ringwood elimination final to keep their title hopes alive.
Tickets for the preliminary final (opponent TBC) are now on sale via bit.ly/3pqEQRA
