Miners look to improve as finals loom

TEN weeks into the NBL1 South competition for 2023, Ballarat Miners players are reflecting on the season so far.

After some disappointment, import Tyler Rudolph said the men will aim to keep their eyes forward, and push for success in the coming weeks.

“You can’t dwell on any one game for too long because you’re right in playing the next one, so that makes it exciting,” he said.

“We just need to come together a little more as a team, and I think we’ve been doing that, and all the guys, I know, are super excited for this last month.

“It’s a big help to get [Jack Davidson] back. It’s only been a couple of games with him back but we’re looking forward to getting him, and everyone, back on the same page.”

Guard for the Miners women Abbey Wehrung acknowledged that her team has seen many losses this season, but the players are trending upwards as a group.

“That’s really exciting,” she said. “Obviously, we’re a really young team, so to show improvement and challenge these top teams is a massive take away.

“Mathematically, we can still make finals. In saying that, we’ve got some challenging teams coming up.

“To put four quarters together, which we haven’t been able to do this season, would be a small win.”

Having moved to Ballarat from America this year, Rudolph said he has settled in well.

“It’s been great so far,” he said. “Everyone’s been super friendly, super helpful, and super accommodating.

“It’s been great to see the same faces you see out in the community come and support you when you have those home games.

“It’s a place I’d love to come back to, and we’ll see how the end of the season finishes up.”

This weekend is a big one at home, as the Miners men play North-West Tasmania Thunder and Mount Gambier Pioneers in back-to-back games.

“It’s no walk in the park,” Rudolph said.

Meanwhile the women’s squad will take on the Launceston Tornadoes on Saturday and the Mount Gambier Pioneers on Sunday.

“Mount Gambier will be our biggest challenge,” Wehrung said.