More junior glory for Wildcats

KORUMBURRA Wildcats enjoyed great success over the weekend in the Junior Country Championships with the girls leading the way, being crowned champions in under 18 Division 1 and under 16 Division 2.

The Wildcats beat the Warrnambool Mermaids 52-30 in the grand final at Bendigo Stadium on Sunday, with four of Korumburra’s team having stepped up to under 18s level after playing in last year’s under 16 Division 1 championship.

While the final margin was comfortable, the game was in the balance at halftime with Korumburra just six points ahead at that stage.

The Wildcats were relentless in the third term, keeping the Mermaids scoreless until the final minute and a half of the quarter.

Korumburra coach Chloe Hogg attributed the positive transformation in the game to an adjusted defence.

“We clogged up the paint because we knew that they were penetrators and weren’t getting many outside shots, so we made it difficult for them to get inside the key,” Hogg said.

Krystal Arnason was proving a weapon with her rebounds, helping set up lay-up opportunities for Chelsea Fox at the other end of the court, which she capitalised on.

The third quarter dominance helped the Wildcats establish a 16-point lead heading into the final term.

Such was the second half ascendancy from Korumburra, it allowed Warrnambool just 11 points throughout that period.

Hogg admitted she was a bit nervous early in the game.

“We weren’t playing how we normally do; our defence was a bit slow and we weren’t getting much shot generation,” she said.

However, there was little cause for concern in the second half.

Fox finished with 17 points despite her main assignment for the match being to shut down Warrnambool point guard Mia Mills.

While she accomplished that, Fox achieved plenty more.

“She stepped up and started scoring,” Hogg said.

Hogg highlighted the Wildcats’ achievement in winning as a small country town with just nine players to draw on.

Korumburra overcame fierce opponent Traralgon in a tight semi final, defeating the T-Birds 53 to 44.

This year’s under 16 Wildcats jumped out to an 8-point quarter time advantage against Mildura Heat, going on to win every term, recording a comprehensive 57-38 win.