By ROY WARD
THE undermanned Dandenong Rangers extended their winning streak to eight games beating Ballarat Miners 80-78 in Ballarat on Saturday night.
Travelling west without small forward Venky Jois (family commitments) and bench guard Rick Marczenko (ankle) the Rangers were trailing late in the final term before making some key plays in the final minute to claim the win.
Rangers import Tony Lewis, who was named SEABL player of the month for April, was again on fire scoring 31 points and pulling in 13 rebounds while Daequon Montreal added 20 points and veteran big man Brent Hobba scored 10 in 17 minutes.
Rangers coach Darren Perry, who was honoured with the coach of the month award for April, said his players had shown the fruits of the team’s “situational work” at training.
“When its comes to the close ones we are more settled because we run through our situation scenarios at training and that worked for us,” he said.
Perry also praised Lewis for his overall contribution and his side for continuing to win despite missing two players who have made important contributions this season.
“We make teams run and defend, then get guys off the bench who can contribute,” he said. “The group is playing hard and running together and we continue to build each week. The more we play the more confident we get.”
Marczenko and Jois are both expected to play in the Rangers’ Tasmania road trip this weekend with the side playing Hobart on Friday night and North-West Tasmania on Saturday night.
The Rangers SEABL women added another 20-point win to their season tally with a 69-45 win over Ballarat Rush earlier on Saturday night in Ballarat.
WNBL star and Rangers stalwart Steph Cumming led her side with 20 points. Clare Papavs (13 points), Hope Terdich (12 points) and Faith Probst (five points, 14 rebounds) were also prominent.
The Rangers women also visit Tasmania this weekend, playing Hobart on Friday night and Launceston on Saturday night.
■ Dandenong Rangers WNBL side has re-signed championship players Alison Downie and Steph Cumming for next season.
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