A powerful team performance has ensured the Warrnambool Mermaids secured their spot in the Big V division one championship playoffs.
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The Mermaids ensured they would only need two games to secure their spot in the final two with the 91-73 victory over Mildura Heat on Saturday night.
While coach Louise Brown did praise her whole side, which last year was on the way to a division two championship victory, for the mammoth effort she highlighted a few of the Mermaids’ key players in the win.
“It was a real team effort and we didn’t have to rely on only a few people,” she said.
“Alana Strom’s second half was massive. She turned the ball over, contained her players and had 17 points and 15 rebounds.
“Holly (Greene) came to play and showed she really is a finals player. Katie (O’Keefe) was the same and even though Amy Wormald only shot six points she still had 12 rebounds.
“This type of performance showed that no team goes as deep as we do.”
Greene finished with 22 points, five rebounds and 10 assists from 28 minutes on the court, while O’Keefe played a staggering 40 minutes and collected 25 points, 13 rebounds and three assists.
Brown said she was pleased with a majority of her side’s defensive efforts.
“We did set a goal to try and keep them to 60 points and I’m happy with their final score,” she said.
“But I was disappointed in the second quarter when we conceded 25 points.”
The Mermaids final score of 91 was their highest total for the year, beating the previous best of 88, which they scored in game one last Saturday.
Brown said she restricted the changes off the bench tonight as she noticed her starting team were working well together.
The Mermaids will find out their opponent for the best of three grand final series on Sunday.
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