Two big recruits and some emerging young talent have underpinned Bellarine Storm’s complete turnaround in Big V basketball so far this season, their proud coach says.
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The 7-1 Big V Division 1 outfit finished second last in season 2022, and bottom place the previous campaign
However, senior coach Tim Sanderson said with the addition of B’hrea Griffin and Georgia Varley – fourth for average points and total threes made, third for assists – and some emerging talent in Lucy Howard and Alivia Osborn, the team was humming at the moment.
He said Bellarine was simply a lot more confident squad this season, taking heart from several “really tough wins” and building belief they could triumph from any scenario.
Howard stepped up in the absence of centre Chantelle Hall to record 20 points and 11 rebounds against Altona, and is shooting at 53 per cent inside the arc for the season.
Bellarine Storm’s Division 1 women’s team are 7-1 this season. Picture: Bellarine Storm.
“They’re really starting to step up now,” Sanderson said of his younger charges.
“It took a couple of years to get them going … now that experience is starting to come through.
“(Sienna Quinlan) had a moment on the weekend where we needed someone to come in and help clean up some rebounding issues we were having on that Sunday game.”
Admitting the last few seasons had been “challenging”, players were raising each other’s standards while Varley had been a “really good add”.
“We felt at the end of last year we needed a bit more in our guard depth, create some play, a little bit of extra shooting,” he said.
“She’s certainly helped a lot with that.”
Varley’s skill came to the fore in a 2-0 weekend with wins over Western Port (62-57) and Altona, 75-66.
Georgia Varley has been a great addition for the Bellarine Storm. Picture: Bellarine Storm.
While Griffin put up 20 points and 11 boards and Varley scored 15 points and five assists against Western Port, both would score five points apiece in the all-important final term.
Varley also shot 22 points – with 10 in the final three minutes of game time – as the Storm thrashed Altona after the main break (47-30).
Meanwhile, Sanderson said Olivia Virt was having a vastly improved year – second in the conference for assists – with the inclusion of Varley and Griffin freeing up other players.
Sanderson said the Storm’s top of the table tussle with Western Port was perhaps its strongest win of the year so far.
Chantelle Hall jostles for position against her opponent. Picture: Bellarine Storm.
“That game was really, really tough, I don’t think it got beyond five or six points all night,” Sanderson said.
“It felt like the whole game neither team really had complete control.
“It was one of those bucket for bucket dog fights basically.”
However, the Storm will face Melbourne University this Saturday, an improving outfit complemented by Amelia Smith.
Sanderson said there were still 3-4 key areas the club had to improve in with a loss against Craigieburn partially due to execution and a “blinder of a game” from import Courtney Strait, who shot 35 points and pulled down nine rebounds.