Victoria's Confidence Is A Game Changer
Victoria remain undersized but aren’t to be underestimated.
They must do something right down in Victoria because they continue to have quality one pointers coming through their NWBL team. Their low point talent pool is easily the deepest in the league and after transitioning from an able bodied basketball background, Josh Allison is the next one coming through, and already, he has earnt his spot on the floor (without a Rookie point).
Daniel Del Toso continues to be their main avenue to the basket but Ben Hodgens has made a massive step up in 2013. Hodgens’ biggest asset is his speed and he was able to utilise is over the weekend to get himself into good scoring positions, finishing with a round average of 11.3 points per game.
Victoria were far from outplayed by NWBL heavy weights Wollongong and Perth over the first two days and took some of that confidence into their final game against the Sydney Uni Wheelkings.
Speaking to Del Toso prior to the game he said, “We’ll be aiming for a third or fourth place finish this year and we felt like we played well against Perth and Wollongong so we’re very confident.”
With Brisbane, Perth and Wollongong settled into the top three it looks as though the Wheelkings, Adelaide and Victoria are to be locked in a battle for that fourth and final playoff spot with Del Toso adding;
“We split our series earlier this year with the Wheelkings and so this game (verse Wheelkings) becomes very important for us.”
Victoria’s confidence in their own ability shone through and they now find themselves sitting in fourth place after round two. It was Hodgens and Del Toso who led the way with 16 points each at a combined shooting percentage of 80%.
With no Jannik Blair or Dylan Alcott this season, surprisingly, Victoria have only gotten better. Not that they wouldn’t welcome back the two Australian guards but they don’t seem to need them. Victoria are just one more high-pointer away from competing for a top two spot and there will be many looking to see how they go this weekend against the second placed RSL QLD Spinning Bullets.
Written by Joel Mackenzie
Comments
Comment Guidelines: The SportsTG Network is made up of players, families and passionate sports followers like you who have a strong opinion about sport. That's great - we want you to have your say and share your thoughts with the world. However, we have a few rules that you must follow to keep it fun for all. Please don't be rude, abusive, swear or vilify others. Apart from some pretty serious sport sanctions, we also can ban you and report you if things get out of hand. So play fair and have fun, and thanks for your contribution.