The South East Queensland Stars have shown heart and character in winning both games on the “Doomsday Double’’ just days after it looked as if their season was over.
The Stars were put into the hands of liquidators on Wednesday with club chairman Jarrod Sierocki issuing a statement stating their season would cease, only for Logan City Council to rally interested parties to help the team finish the 2015/2016 season the following day.
The players rewarded the community’s support with two emphatic victories in two days, beating the Adelaide Lightning 89-81 on Friday before defeating the ladder leading Perth Lynx 87-71 on Saturday.
The Stars are finishing their season without head coach Shane Heal after one of the eleventh hour sponsors requested he stand down.
The Stars were led instead by assistant Megan Thompson and Basketball Australia centre of excellence coach Paul Gorriss.
The Logan based club was led by 31 points from import Jordan Hooper against Adelaide, with point guard Lauren Mansfield scoring 21. Australia Opals Bec Allen and Rachel Jarry each chipped in with 12 points to help the side over the line.
The following day in Perth the team had a more balanced attack to overcome Perth for the first time this year with Allen top scoring with 20 points, but getting plenty of support from her teammates including 17 from Hooper, 14 from Nadeen Payne, 12 from Rachel Jarry and 16 points off the bench from import Ify Ibekwe.
The wins increase the chance that the Stars, who are not likely to play beyond their inaugural season, will play finals basketball with the team needing only two wins from their final three games against Canberra, Melbourne and Dandenong.
Their best chance will likely be against Canberra and Melbourne with Canberra yet to win a game this season and Melbourne sitting just above them in second last on the table.
The Stars play their final home game at the Logan Metro Centre against Canberra from 4pm on Sunday.
