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In the Centre: Perth Lynx secures play-offs berth, but tough end to season looms

Maddie AllenSound Telegraph
Maddie Allen in action for the Perth Lynx.
Camera IconMaddie Allen in action for the Perth Lynx. Credit: Perth Lynx/Facebook

As any athlete can tell you, the tail end of any season is tough.

The players and coaches are far too comfortable with one another to bother with niceties and even the best of aeroplane food gets old pretty quickly.

After a trying couple of weeks, our last month has been a grind to get our groove back.

We landed in Melbourne for our last road trip of the regular season determined to prove ourselves against the higher-ranked Melbourne Boomers last Friday night.

Our last clash with the Boomers had resulted in what some would favourably call a humiliating loss on our home court.

With the Boomers performing well, we knew our only chance would be to out hustle the home team.

After a slow start, we led at the half but eventually the Boomers prevailed in a nailbiting last three minutes, 64-59.

Proud of our efforts but disappointed in the result, we hit the road the next day with the hopes of a different outcome against the Bendigo Spirit.

Having already won the series against Bendigo, most teams would have walked in overly confident. However, the Spirit’s reputation for outstanding performances on their home court combined with their never-say-die style of play had us nervous, and rightfully so.

After another nailbiter, we managed to close the game with a final score of 68-66.

We returned to Perth with a place in the finals series secured and two games left in the regular season.

We take on the Boomers again on Thursday from 6.30pm at Bendat Basketball Centre in Perth — a game that is likely going to be a dog fight as both teams prepare for the finals.

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