After a string of losses, the Gators’ season has roared back to life after they defeated the Blackburn Vikings by 14 points at Mullum Mullum Stadium in Melbourne’s east.
Shepparton stars Jayden Coke and Josh Kooiman were influential for the visitors, scoring 24 and 25 points, respectively.
Coming into the match with back-to-back losses, the Gators needed a win to stay in touch with the top half of the Big V Championship ladder.
The Gators started the game well, outscoring the Vikings 23-19 in the first quarter.
In the second term, it was a similar tale as Shepparton extended the lead to 11 points at the halfway mark, with the Gators looking set to secure a convincing win.
However, the Vikings came out firing after halftime, wiping Shepparton’s lead with the scores 72 apiece after three quarters of action.
For Blackburn, Kortland Martin was dominant on the court, shooting 36 points for the match, plus seven rebounds, five assists and two steals.
After coughing up an 11-point lead in the penultimate quarter, the Gators recaptured their mojo as they outscored the Vikings 22-16 in the last to win 88-94.
Who impressed for the Shepparton Gators?
Devin Thomas: 13 points, 12 rebounds, 5/5 FTM
Jayden Coke: 24 points, 8 rebounds
Josh Kooiman: 25 points, 9/14 FGM, 3 assists, 3 steals
Sam Beks: 11 points, 4/5 FGM, 5 rebounds
Shepparton head coach Josh Waight said the Gators’ ball movement was a crucial part of how they built an 11-point first-half lead, and when the ball movement fell away, it left the door ajar for the Vikings to fight back.
“At times, we did a really good job of pushing and moving the ball and we were able to develop a little bit of a lead and then we lost our way a bit in the third quarter, but it was really good to the group’s credit they really bounced back in the fourth quarter and found a way to win,” he said.
“We have been in that position a few times this year and we have been on the wrong end of the result, so it was good to be on the right end this week.
“They hit some big shots and we had a couple of little mental lapses on the defensive end and they really punished us.”
With the scores tied at the end of the third quarter, Waight said he reassured his side that they could outrun the Vikings in the run to the finish.
“We were probably in a lucky position this week where we were on the right end of a draw where they had played the night before and I really emphasised that if we pushed the floor and ran the floor, we might get a couple of cheap buckets because they played the night before and may be a bit tired,” he said.
“To the group’s credit, they did a really good job early in the (last) quarter to develop a bit of a lead, and maintaining it was really positive as well.”
In terms of standouts, Waight said it was a fairly even contribution from the whole side, although he was particularly impressed with the work of one player off the bench.
“Jayden (Coke) was excellent and Sam Beks had his best game for the year, which was a real positive as he came on and gave us some much-needed points off the bench,” he said.
“Josh Kooiman had a really great game.
“He has had a really good year, but for him to hit some shots this week was really pleasing to see all the hard work he has been putting in come to fruition.
“We have played a lot of away games to start the year, so to be .500 was really important for the group, so we could really launch into the season when we have a lot of home games.
“Because we know we have a really great following and they help us out in those really close games.”
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