Bellarine Storm recruit Georgia Varley has been a standout for her new team in Big V basketball
Bellarine Storm’s new captain believes her team has the right mix to challenge for the Big V premiership, with the new-look squad clicking on and off the court.
Geelong
Don't miss out on the headlines from Geelong. Followed categories will be added to My News.
New Bellarine Storm skipper Georgia Varley is confident her new look team can go from second last to premiers this year.
The 28-year-old has been a great addition for the Storm in Big V Division 1, with coach Tim Sanderson’s tight-knit crew producing a 10-3 season so far after bottom two finishes the previous two campaigns.
Last year’s premiers and ladder leaders Warrnambool remain the team to beat, however, even though the Storm scored two early season wins over the Mermaids, with Varley averaging 25 points across those two fixtures.
Varley, who has been in the Geelong basketball system since under-12s in 2006, said a 13-23 third quarter during their last encounter in early June cost the Storm in a six-point loss.
“I feel like we didn’t come out after half time and with a few lapses, we couldn’t bring it back,” Varley said.
“We got close in the end but it was too late.”
Personally, however, the Drysdale product and Epworth Hospital nurse has had a standout season, currently fourth and sixth in the competition for average assists and points respectively.
Taking on Chelsea this weekend, she’s also coming off a strong month on the floor and has been particularly lethal from the charity stripe, nailing four in a row in the closing minute of the final term against Craigieburn last round.
“I think the whole team shot really well from the foul line and it pretty much sealed our win,” she said.
Collectively, the Storm hit eight from eight in just over a minute, turning a deadlocked match into a 82-74 win.
“Everyone says foul shots wins games and our last game proved that,” she said.
“Foul shots are absolutely a mental game. It’s absolutely more mental than form or technique.”
Varley, a former Geelong United Supercats player in NBL1 South, said coach Tim Sanderson had been hinting at her coming across for several years.
“I felt like I needed to go to a team where I would play and be valued,” she said.
“I wanted to enjoy it a bit more.
“I was kind of struggling with the commitment (previously) ... not playing as much as I wanted to play.”
So with her older brother Lewis playing in the men’s championship team, Varley could see a comfortable spot at a “family orientated” club.
While Varley had known Sanderson from her Geelong days, she had also played with Olivia Virt, Allison Marsh, Karli Bruce and had against Jaimee Crombie.
“I came with not many expectations because of how the team went last year,” she said.
“I really didn’t know what to expect because I had been out of Big V for a little while.
“But Tim had a plan and he’s been working on it for a few years.”
She said the team were clicking both on and off the court.
“It makes it so much easier to work things out and play together,” she said.
“I feel like it’s not just one player doing everything ... I really hope we can win it.”
The Storm take one Chelsea at Patterson River Stadium on July 2.
More Coverage
Originally published as Bellarine Storm recruit Georgia Varley has been a standout for her new team in Big V basketball
‘No conspiracy’ lawyer says, as alleged hit-run driver asks for bail
An alleged hit-run driver asked to be released to stay with his grandfather, but police had concerns about access to guns, cars and a “network” of associates.
Call for Newman’s AFL honours to be reviewed after neo-Nazi guests
Sam Newman drew condemnation for inviting neo-Nazis on his podcast. An activist believes the AFL and Geelong need to reconsider his Hall of Fame and legend status, and Newman has hit back.