TWIN wins from Latrobe City Energy’s first double header on the road has first year BigV division one coach Jason Sutherland hopeful of springboarding on to success in 2016.
After a middling start to the campaign the Energy toppled Sunbury in a topsy turvy clash on Saturday before backing up to knock Melton over on Sunday.
The results put Energy back in the black with a 3-2 ledger with locals and imports alike picking up steam.
“We had some Australian guys step up which allowed the imports (to) still (get) their points – but they didn’t have to take as many shots and bad shots because the opposition had to guard our Australian players as well,” Sutherland said.
“There was a few guys like Steve O’Brien, Ben Barlow and Michael Bridgman all stepped up. Wiz (Simon Vannapraseuth) controlled the game really well.
“Having those four Australians step up in particular helped (imports) Jordan (Coleman) and Raheem (Lemons).”
Energy defeated Sunbury 93-85 on Saturday, with 23 points from Coleman and a double-double 19 points and 16 rebounds from Lemons leading the way.
It was an up and down encounter; Energy led 28-13 at quarter-time but trailed by five at half-time before regaining control in the third.
The travelling side continued its streak on Sunday in a 72-57 win over Melton.
After five games Sutherland said the offence was starting to click and the imports were finding their feet in the game plan.
“Raheem probably came out of his shell this weekend; he had 40 rebounds in two games… that’s what I got him out here for,” he said.
“Jordan scored 51 in the two games and shot at a lot higher percentage, took better shots and made better decisions.
“I think they’re starting to come to terms with the way we play in Australia, it was always going to take a couple of games, and hopefully we can start to gel.”
The results put Energy inside the top eight on the competition ladder.
The Energy women went down 82-71 to Werribee.
