Youth League Women

The Altona Youth League Women were on the road against Knox last Sunday looking to build on their performance against Melbourne the week before. The first quarter saw both teams trading jabs and feeling the other team out. The Gators took a 1-point lead at quarter time. The second quarter was a very productive one for the Gators as they skated out to a double-digit lead before halftime behind the scrambling harassing defence that has become the teams identity in the last few weeks. The teams played one another even in the third quarter. Knox made a resilient push in the fourth quarter but timely scores and stout defence halted the comeback as the Gators held on to win 78-73. The Gators would like to thank our awesome supporters for helping us get over the line in such a hotly contested game The Youth Women play away again this week, taking on Bendigo on Sunday! Good luck girls! 

Youth League Men

Unfortunately, it wasn’t the weekend our Youth Men were looking for, ending round 7 with back to back losses. The boys kicked off their double header at Casey on Saturday night, opening with a decent first half seeing the Gators within 5 at the half. It was the 3rd quarter that separated the teams. Casey were really impressive with their performance out playing the Gators in all areas, eventually running out winners 101-73. The shining light once again was the very consistent performance of Solomon Deer. In 25 mins he managed to get 19 points (8/13 FG), 9 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals. He really has been a consistent cog in the Gators engine this season. Keep up the great work. With a very short turn around, the next morning the Gators task was no easier with 3rd placed Camberwell visiting the Swamp. Both teams coming off losses the previous night were looking for wins. In a very spirited and physically demanding game it was the visitors that were able to steady in the final term and keep the Gators to 10 points running out winners 90-72. The Gators take a collective breath with the boys now completing exactly half of their seasons games. It is time now for reflection and moving to build in the second half of the year as they continue to push for a playoff spot. The Youth Men have 3 away games in a row (including a away double header) coming up so unfortunately the task doesn’t get any easier. Time to keep your head up, move forward and keep working hard on and off the court to that end goal! 

The Gator’s Family are behind you! Let’s get it done this week boys! Good luck! 

Division 2 Women 

Sunday the Women took on the previously winless Corio Bay Stingrays, but it was made clear that their record did not reflect their level of play. It was a scrappy game from start to finish, the Women were made to work for every single point scored. The scrappy and ugly games are the toughest and most important ones to win, and win they did, finishing up 59-49 to take the Women to a league best 7-1. Jaylen-Rose Hawea led the charge with an impressive 21 points (on 50% shooting), 7 rebounds, 6 steals and 3 assists. Reyhan Aziz wasn’t far behind and super important with another double-double (11 & 11).  It was a fight to the end, but a win nonetheless! 

The Women are back at #TheSwamp this Sunday, for Mother’s Day Double Header when they take on Coburg at 12.00pm. Hope to see you there Gator Fam!