Tracy Village Jets are hungrier than ever to win the Darwin Women’s League Championship after their semi-final defeat

TRACY Village Jets captain Kylie Duggan called their major semi-final loss a wake-up call for the previously undefeated side as it gears up for their preliminary final against Ansett in the Women’s Darwin Basketball Championship.

Jets’ captain Kylie Duggan says her side is hungrier than ever to take out the women’s Darwin Basketball Championship. Picture: Glenn Campbell

TRACY Village Jets captain Kylie Duggan called their major semi-final loss a wake-up call for the previously undefeated side as it gears up for their preliminary final against Ansett in the Women’s Basketball Championship on Friday night.

Jets racked up 20 wins in a row prior to their 63-49 loss in the major semi to reigning premiers Lightning last week.

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“It was certainly not the result we were looking for and we didn’t play to our full potential,” Duggan told the NT News.

“We had a slow start and our shots weren’t dropping as consistently as we would like. Our defence was fine but we couldn’t get on the front foot.

“It was a real wake-up call for us. We knew they would bring it to us and they’re always strong coming into finals but it made us look at where we are and what we need to do.”

Ansett surged into the preliminary final with an 82-56 win over Essington Cannons last week in the minor semi-final, and it will be looking for an upset when it takes on Jets.

Sophie Palmer, T’Leyah Turner, Jessica Goodluck and Frances Fatnowna can all cause problems for any team and will head the talent-deep side.

But Jets were the unbeaten minor premiers for a reason, and by Duggan’s reckoning they are hungrier than ever before to win and remain in the fight for the championship.

The captain is looking for a big game from her big shooters including player-coach Tania Dhu, Erin Geer and Sam Rioli, hoping the ball drops in their favour in this outing.

Michelle Ellis will also be crucial in the key, while Danielle Totham will look to hold the side together defensively.

“We know we can match Ansett across the court so it’s all about executing our game plan and getting a strong start,” Duggan said.

“Defensively they put a lot of pressure on you across the court so it will be about us composing ourselves. We know what we need to do and if we manage to execute we will be in a good place.

“Our defence has really improved this season and that’s right across the squad if we can use that to apply the pressure and made them panic while maintaining our play for four quarters we will win.

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“There’s a real fire in our belly to win. That loss against Lightning brought back memories of losing that final and we don’t want to feel that again. We’re hungrier to win than ever.”