WODONGA Lady Wolves coach Doug Polmear says his side has plenty of work to do, despite finishing on top of the CBL ladder.
The Lady Wolves won their final home and away game of the season on Saturday night, scoring a thrilling two-point win against Seymour.
And while he was full of praise for their guts and determination, Polmear said the Lady Wolves needed to lift in time for their home semi-final on February 2.
They won’t know their opponent until the completion of next week’s split round.
“We have some work to do,” Polmear said.
“And I’ll be expecting all players to challenge themselves and each other as we strive to win another championship.
“It was a gutsy win from a difficult position and one we had to fight hard to turn around.
“We’re not used to being in that position and so it was great to see the girls support one another when things got tough.
“That’s what gets this team across the line when it counts.”
After a poor first half, the Lady Wolves — who scored just six points in an uninspiring first quarter — had dug themselves into a hole by half-time.
They were 11 points down.
“Our shot selection was good, we just couldn’t buy a basket which was very frustrating for all of us,” Polmear said.
But they returned a different side after the main break.
A concerted effort on defence sent the Lady Wolves into attack with more confidence as the momentum began to swing.
Rachel Jeffery and Tahnee Cannan stepped up, contributing 11 of the Lady Wolves’ 16 points for the quarter.
Still five points down at the final change, the Lady Wolves kept up their scoring spree to eventually wrestle the lead back in the last quarter.
They held on to seal the win and top place in the division.
The Wolves, though, weren’t so lucky.
Despite hanging on to top spot and a home final, Wodonga’s men’s team will enter the playoffs fresh off a disappointing 15-point loss against Seymour.
The Wolves never looked in the hunt as they trailed at every change.
The Blasters, who led by nine points at half-time, blew the game open in the third term as they shot to a 20-point lead by the final change.
The Wolves fought back hard in the last — reducing the lead to just six points midway through the quarter — however, used all their energy on the comeback.
Some late points from Robbie Sartori and Brett O’Donnell saw Seymour shoot clear again to record the double-digit victory.