Things are beginning to fall into place for the Maitland Mustangs Championship Women's team after clocking their first win on Saturday against Central Coast Crusaders 70-47.
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Coach Mark Wawszkowicz gave the Mustangs women a no excuses approach to the game with all players on the roster getting a run during the first half.
"You don't know who is going to do well until you give them a go. Everybody got an opportunity and those who worked hard got the minutes," he said.
The strategy worked and after the half-time break the Mustangs established a game-breaking lead with 14 unanswered points after an initial Crusaders goal after the break.
They maintained the intensity to win each quarter.
Standout players included Alyssa Bennett, who once again scored a double-double, and Shakera Reilly who was lead scorer on 19 points and also pulled in eight rebounds.
Point guard Jessica Brett had a big game with 13 points, seven assists and impressive six rebounds as the smallest player court.
Wawszkowicz said he and Brett had reviewed video over the past few weeks that she was able to identify the shots she hadn't been taking because of lack of confidence.
He said she had taken the attitude that the only way to improve was to keep on shooting.
Reilly said they had worked better as a team and were able to recognise each player's strengths during the game.
"Everyone continued to back each other up when we got running. We took control of the game early and followed through till the end," she said.
Keeping the Crusaders to 47 points was the Mustangs best defensive effort and they clocked up their highest score of the season to date as well.
Wawszkowicz described the win as a turning point for the team.
"Passing was good, everybody contributed. It was a real turning point for us, we have heaps to work on still but if you've got that competitive nature and the belief you can do it," he said.
"They're really the things that you can't coach. They have to bring that (competitive nature and belief), because skill wise, talent wise we aren't a second from the bottom team in the comp.
"We are probably middle of the road and we can strive to get that up towards the end."
Wawskowicz said he kept changes to a minimum in the second half to let the players keep things rolling.
"We did what we should have done against that team which was pleasing. The win was needed and in the end it was expected," he said.
With the next three games at home, the stars have aligned for them to keep the momentum going and if they can go three for three they will be well positioned to start the second half of the season.
"Onwards and upwards. It's easier to come to practice when you've already cracked a win. I'm looking to get us to halfway with three or four more wins to put us in a position to challenge for the edge of the top six," Wawszkowicz said.
Confidence is high going into this weekend's double-header against Canberra Nationals and Penrith Panthers at the Maitland Federation Centre on Saturday and Sunday.