Supercats faces ‘big’ Kilsyth

Erin Pearson
GEELONG Supercats have clawed their way into second spot on the South East Basketball League’s ladder with just one match left leading into finals.
Following a sluggish start to the season, the Supercats have regained respect after defeating a determined Frankston side last Saturday night on the road.
Extracting sweet revenge on their opponent, the Supercats overcame the home side 106-85 to make amends for the heartache of Geelong’s 2009 south conference finals loss to Frankston.
Supercats manager David Hoey said the win was “crucial” in resurrecting the side’s finals hopes with just one regular season game remaining.
“From a team perspective we are now seeing a higher degree of coordination on the court,” he said.
“There is a lot more sharing of the enthusiasm compared to the beginning of the year and I think the side’s camaraderie and ability to rely on each other is making a real difference.”
Hoey admitted the side had taken “a while to adjust” to its new coach and players in 2010.
“The squad has taken a bit of time, due to changes and injuries, to settle back into a flow,” he said.
The Supercats’ run to the finals pits them against east conference ladder-leader Kilsyth at home this Saturday night.
Hoey said the Supercats have won their last six games and were hungry for another win under new coach Jamie O’Loughlin.
“I think the aspirations for success are always there and the side has played enormously well at their last few away games,” Hoey said.
“The Supercats have made the finals every year in their existence so the pressure is certainly on to keep that up.
“Although Kilsyth is not in our conference, they are the toughest in the league and they are a very big side.”
Geelong lost 93-69 when the Supercats met Kilsyth on the road in May.
The Supercats return to the Arena this Saturday night for their final regular season game against.
Tip off is at 7.30pm