PORT Macquarie Dolphins will take to the court one final time on Sunday when they host the Newcastle Hunters.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
At the start of the season coach Mark Champion knew it was going to be a difficult year.
It’s proven to be the case, but it hasn’t been a complete waste of time.
“It’s what we expected going in,” he said.
Champion set himself a goal at the start of the year which he believes the team is ahead of.
There are other areas that needed improving.
“A lack of depth has contributed to the situation we’re in now because that’s hurt us at times throughout the season,” he said.
The Dolphins have been competitive when they have had their first-string players on the court.
But once players get into foul trouble is where they pay the price.
The coach has been buoyed by the second half of the season.
Since an 88-62 defeat to Sunday’s opponents where they competed for half the match, the Dolphins have had their chances.
They’ve had two nine-point losses in their last three games.
“A couple of weeks ago we played the best quarter of basketball that I’ve seen as coach in the last three years,” Champion said.
“That shows what we’re capable of.”
Josh Kelly, Josh Smith and Lance Guild have been some of the shining lights for Champion.
Kelly has been a consistent performer along with Jake Wallis.
“I think we’ve come a long way since the start of the year and a few fellas like me and Jake have never played at this level before,” Kelly said.
“We didn’t even know if we were going to have a team at the start of the year.”
Kelly admitted he had never played any structured basketball before the 2016 campaign.
His only taste of basketball was in the Wednesday night social competition.
The difference between the two couldn’t be more stark and he’s already looking forward to next season.
“Next year if we add a few people – and there’s talk of an import – it could really strengthen us as a team,” he said.
“I’m confident we can be up there with the best on the table.”
He expected another tough encounter with the Hunters.
“Last time we were tied at half-time in Newcastle so I think we can go out and put up a good fight,” Kelly said.
“Teams like Tamworth, Newcastle and Crusaders at the start of the year were smashing us, so if the same guys come back we could nearly get them next year.”
