ONE goal is in the forefront of both Ken Arthur and Scott Balsar’s minds when they head to the Waratah League finals series this weekend.
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Bring home a banner or even better, bring home two banners.
And that dream isn’t out to the realm of possibility, if you look at the teams coach Arthur and Balsar have at their disposal.
The first of the two teams – the youth league division two men and the division one women – to hit the court will be Balsar’s cubs, who won the minor premiership with a 20-2 record during the regular season.
“I’m over the moon to finish where we did during the season but the work isn’t done yet,” Balsar said.
As Balsar eluded to, his team aren’t happy just to have made the finals, which will be held at the Hills Basketball Stadium, they want to bring home a banner – adding to the 10 banners (seven women and three men) the Shoalhaven already have hanging in the Tigers Den.
Before they get too far ahead of themselves, Balsar’s troops will battle Hornsby Spiders Green from 9.30am Saturday, for a spot in the decider on Sunday.
“Last time we played them, both teams were under strength, but we beat them by 30 points, thanks largely to keeping them to just 13 points for the second half,” Balsar said.
“Our game plan will be the same this time around, with defence being our priority – if we can set a tone early on that end of the floor, our offence will flow from that.”
If Balsar’s side do win, they’ll play the winner of Sydney and Illawarra in Sunday’s final.
Differently to Balsar’s cubs, Arthur’s team finished fourth on the ladder, with a 7-5 record – a testament to their resolve as a team.
“Despite a large turnover of players from last season and big injury toll, all the girls have stepped up this season,”Arthur said.
Standing in the way of a finals berth for Arthur’s team are minor premiers Coffs Harbour, from 1.30pm Saturday, who the Tigers split their season series 1-1.
“We beat Coffs Harbour when they played on our home court but they shot really well on the return fixture and beat us,” Arthur said.
“I’m confident the girls can get the job done again on Saturday.”
If they do win, they’ll play the winner of Maitland and Wagga Wagga in the final.
Both coaches agree it would be a dream come true to bring another banner back to the Den.
“To be able to walk into the stadium, see the banner hanging and say ‘I was a part of that’ would be very special and proud moment for me,” Balsar said.