TERANG Tornadoes negotiated a tough string of predominantly away matches to sit third on the Country Basketball League south west conference ladder.
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Now, they are hoping two weekends of home double-headers will help them consolidate their spot in the top echelon of teams.
The Tornadoes are set to host Millicent Magic on Saturday night and reigning champions Mount Gambier Lakers on Sunday in what is shaping as a vital weekend for the finals hopefuls.
Assistant coach Scott Judd wants to see the Tornadoes turn the tables on Magic after a nine-point loss when they met two weekends ago.
“Against Millicent, we had a close, tough loss away, but we didn’t have a full side at the same time,” he said.
“We’re pretty excited to have a full side Saturday and Sunday to take on them and Mount Gambier.”
Sitting in the top three is unfamiliar territory for the Tornadoes, who went through teething pains as a young side the past few years.
But Judd said having the core group of players stick together for a few years, as well as having an experienced player and coach in Dean Brebner leading a team has the group daring to dream it can play finals this season.
“We’ve matured up a lot and we know how each other plays,” he said.
“Having Dean as a full-time player and obviously the experience as a coach has helped as well.”
Terang Tornadoes’ under 12 and under 14 teams will also play on Saturday night from 5.20pm as a curtain-raiser to the men’s match at 7pm.