Rivals finally start to respect the Northern Rays
NORTHERN Mendi Rays captain Kelsey Mcphee is confident her team can continue to climb after a dream run into the Sapphire Series netball finals.
The Rays were yet to even win a single game before this season but behind Kiwi star Mcphee and some outstanding team efforts they have booked their spot in an elimination final against USC Thunder in Brisbane on Saturday.
Mcphee, a standout shooter in the Rays’ impressive 7-6 regular season run, said her team had worked hard to transform from competition easybeat to a genuine contender.
“We started off the season just wanting to try to win one or two games, then all of a sudden we find ourselves in the semi-finals so all the girls are very excited and over the moon we’ve been able to perform this season,” she said.
“We’ve done the hard work week-in week-out to get to where we are and have a season the team and all our supporters and sponsors can be proud of.
“I don’t think anyone expected us to be here. People turn up to games and go, ‘Oh it’s the Rays, we can beat them’ but we’ve got ourselves into a top four position and they can’t turn a blind eye anymore.”
The Rays will take plenty of confidence into their clash with the Thunder at Brisbane’s Nissan Arena, having beaten them twice already this season, although both clashes went down to the wire. IN NBL1 North basketball action on Saturday night, the Townsville Heat and Flames welcome Redcity Roar to STARFM Stadium.
The Flames will push for a top-two spot when they battle Redcity from 6pm before the Heat fight to keep their faint finals hopes alive from 8pm