Back-to-back club awards mirror Big V title success for Warrnambool basketballer

Greene led her team to back-to-back Big V titles, in which she earned successive MVP honours for the play-off series. 

And on Saturday night Greene was named the Mermaid’s most valuable player for the second consecutive year.  She is also nominated for the Big V division one women’s MVP and the all-star five team, to be presented on September 15.  

The guard said it was a nice way to finish the campaign. 

“We had a really good season and like last year, it’s because of the good mix we had on the court,” she said.. 

“It’s nice to win these types of awards, but you don’t go out there for them, you want the championship.  “The feeling of winning the individual awards is nothing compared to winning the championships. We’ve done that twice now and no one can take that away from us.” 

Greene put her personal success down to being a team player. 

“I just try to be a good leader on the court. If we need to rebound I’ll try to get it, if we need to score, I’ll try and shoot.  

“I just try and do whatever the team needs me to do,” she said.

Greene put the Mermaids’ success down to the close bond the players had developed off the court. 

“Like last year, we are all really good friends off the court, and on the court we had a good blend of experience, and skills,” Greene said.

“It was so good to go back-to-back, especially for Kate Sewell, Katie O’Keefe and Darcy Saunders who won’t be playing next year.” 

Greene said her own playing career was still somewhat up in the air, but it was more than likely she will not play next year. 

“I hope to start my nursing career next year and obviously shift work will make it hard to commit — especially in my first year. 

“There may be an option for me to return in coming years, you just never know.

“Next year the Mermaids will have to rebuild, every team has to do it at some point,” she said.

The Seahawks named Cameron Mitchell as their MVP, but he was not at the presentation night, having already returned to the US. 

Mitchell is also nominated for the Big V division one men’s MVP award. 

jwoolley@standard.fairfax.com.au