Launceston Tornadoes coach Reece Potter has handed out a stern warning to the side’s rivals: we can get better.
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His prophetic words follow a tenacious 75-64 SEABL win over the Frankston Lady Blues that pushes the Tornadoes season record to 6-1 from just two home games in their first seven.
Saturday night was the club’s first game back in Launceston for 28 days and with nine of its last 11 at the Elphin Sports Centre, it is not hard to imagine the Torns will finish even stronger than they have started.
“I still think we can get a lot better,” Potter said.
“Credit to the group, they are finding a way to get it done.
“I’m really proud of all their efforts and the way they go about it.
“We handle the feedback and handle the situation how to get it done.
“But we just have to keep on looking forward and improving and growing as a group, so we can keep winning games.”
Launceston led narrowly at every change and entered the last term seven points up.
The final 10 minutes was all about opportunities.
The Tornadoes scrambled and hustled better in defence, as Frankston missed a series of crucial lay-ups.
At the other end of the court, the hosts nailed the crucial shots including a 8-0 stretch inside 50 seconds that blew the margin out to an unassailable 12 points with just four minutes left.
Potter held back from overly praising his players despite them keeping the Blues to a quarter low-score for the match.
“To keep them to 64 points in the end is not a bad effort, but I think we could have been better,” Potter said.
“I think to be honest there was a few times when we switched off early in the game, but we did step it up when it was needed and another strong defensive quarter.
“Really, we just need to be more consistent early on in the game.”
Tayla Roberts and Ally Wilson combined for 49 of the side’s 75 points.
Wilson added a further 10 rebounds and three assists to aid the win.
American Mikaela Ruef again proved a pivotal player when it mattered. She scored 13 points but hauled in a mighty 14 rebounds.
Diminutive 15-year-old Rebecca Abel set the crowd alight with the longest three-pointer of the night.