Clutch Foketi secures Meteors win against Ipswich

The ever-improving Viliami Foketi played a key role in the Meteors win over Ipswich

A win is a win, but the Meteors have some work to do to challenge for this year’s championship.

That is the message coach Joel Khalu delivered his Mackay team after a close win over Ipswich in the NBL1 North.

Chris Cedar for Mackay Meteors against Ipswich Force in the NBL1 North match. Picture: Matthew Forrest

He said there were a number of areas the side needed to address.

“It was the second week in a row we were out-rebounded, we need to get better on the glass because that wins games,” Khalu said.

“We also didn’t shoot the ball particularly well, overall from the three we were patchy.”

The Meteors struggled to break the game open against an inferior Ipswich side that scrapped throughout the match to finish it out 79-75.

Khalu said the side was “lucky” to secure a win against the 10th-placed side.

“Viliami Foketi came up big and hit some shots and we were lucky Chris (Cedar) took over in a stretch as well,” he said.

“Outside of that, offensively we were clunky.”

Viliami Foketi for Mackay Meteors against Ipswich Force in the NBL1 North match. Picture: Matthew Forrest

Foketi went “under the radar” with his performance, scoring 18 points from 7-9 shooting, as well as collecting 5 rebounds and two blocks.

Khalu said the growth he had seen from the Tongan international was “outstanding”.

“Viliami has improved so much now that we see these flashes of brilliance that he has are now common for me,” he said.

“He’s developing a lot quicker and a lot better than I thought initially, and he stepped up and made some big shots when we needed him to.”

Viliami Foketi for Mackay Meteors against Ipswich Force in the NBL1 North match. Picture: Matthew Forrest

The win keeps Mackay in second place in the NBL1 North, with a tough match against Cairns next week.

“They’re an outstanding group and they’re very talented,” Khalu said.

“We have a funny mentality where we seem to rise when we play teams that are better and scrap against lower teams.”