NBL1 South: Geelong United women defeat Keilor Thunder, 84-69, in qualifying final

Geelong United unrivalled record remains in tact, with its latest win sealing an early prelim ticket. And just as they’ve done all season, one thing stood out.

Geelong United's Jaz Shelley and Gemma Potter high-five after their qualifying final win. Picture: SGP Media

They’d done it for 22 games and win 23 was no different, as Geelong United secured its spot in a NBL1 South preliminary final off the back of a defensive masterclass.

United put rivals Keilor Thunder to bed late in Saturday’s qualifying final at Geelong Arena, closing out the game 84-69, but not without a minor scare as the Thunder got within seven points with just under eight minutes to play.

But springboarding off a 12-5 run to open the final quarter, United put the clamps on to hit some big shots and finish off second efforts – eight of Taylor Mole’s 10 points off the bench coming in the final quarter, while a Gemma Potter airball miraculous turned into a Jaz Shelley reverse lay-up to put United up by 16 with 3.16 left on the clock.

A Mole threeball and Lilly Rotunno lay-up iced the game with 1.50 to play, as coach Megan Moody turned to her youngest players off the bench for the final minutes.

Geelong United's Hannah Hank fights for the rebound during Saturday's qualifying final win. Picture: SGP Media

A blistering start – United opening the game with a 9-0 run and 28-17 first quarter – was based on defensive excellence, the team keeping up the pressure with a bounty of steals, tips and hands in faces.

“Our defence is kind of our identity right now, and that was probably the best defensive game we’ve played, against some of the best talent we’ve come up against as well,” Shelley said.

“We come out locked in, we watch a lot of scout and we know exactly what we need to do and everyone was on the same page which was the cool thing.”

After defeating the Thunder by 18 last week, the rematch posed a different challenge for United, with stars Issie Bourne and Maddison Rocci back in the visitors’ line-up – Bourne fresh of an Asian Cup gold medal with the Opals and Rocci on that plane had it not been for injury.

“They’re a formidable line-up, players that are world-class … credit to our girls for stepping up and containing them,” Moody said.

Meanwhile, Hannah Hank came into the game fresh off a silver medal with the Gangurrus 3x3 team in Indonesia – stepping off the plane hours before the game – while Dakota Crichton was a welcome return to United’s starting line-up after missing the last three games with a knee complaint.

Potter started United off strongly – 19 of her 23 points coming in the first half – while she controlled the defensive end with nine boards and four steals – all team highs.

Geelong United's Gemma Potter goes to the basket during Saturday's qualifying final win. Picture: SGP Media

Shelley praised Potter’s physicality and uncanny ability to play two feet taller than she was as a guard.

“We work really hard on our off-season and we’re in the gym a bunch so it’s really cool to see the things Gemma can do – she’s an unreal athlete – and I think her defence goes unnoticed sometimes,” she said.

“It’s really fun to play with people who play and really care about defence.”

Fresh off a club MVP, Shelley did a bit of everything with 12 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and three steals, while Rotunno – the club’s defensive player of the year – pulled off a series of timely defensive and offensive manoeuvres with the game on the line in the second half.

Left dazed by United’s sizzling start, the Thunder fought back by lifting their scoring percentage considerably, though back-to-back threes from Geelong teen Jasmine King in her first minutes late in the first half kept Geelong’s buffer at 14 heading in to the third.

Geelong United's Gemma Potter and Jasmine King in action during Saturday's qualifying final win. Picture: SGP Media

A few lapses in defensive intensity from United saw the likes of Bourne (25 points) and Jasmine Dickey (22) break free, though Moody was pleased with her team’s ability to ratchet the pressure back up in the final 10 minutes.

“We had a little bit of a lapse there and they hit some really good shots … we adjusted, and their relentless pressure, their sacrifice for each other,” she said.

“I don’t think I can singly highlight anyone right now.”

Originally published as NBL1 South: Geelong United women defeat Keilor Thunder, 84-69, in qualifying final