When the Goulburn Bears Men's Youth League side returned to the court on Saturday for their first match of the 2020 season, it was a matter of so close but so far.
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Up against the Inner West Bulls Black in Ryde, the Bears gave themselves a plethora of opportunities to score, but were unable to convert.
Following their 95-79 defeat, coach Jack Channells said the team's biggest issue was their inability to make a basket.
"They had plenty of opportunities, but they just couldn't sink the ball at all," Channells said.
"It was just one of those nights where not everyone was on. We didn't actually start to get the ball rolling until the second half."
That being said, Channells was not unhappy with the Bears' performance considering the three-month layoff due to COVID-19.
Prior to the original scheduled start in March, the Bears were in excellent physical condition and mentally rearing to go.
However, following the lockdown, both the players' fitness and their razor-sharp mentality had fallen away somewhat.
"They're not doing too badly," Channells said.
"The first couple of weeks back to training everyone was huffing and puffing, but they seem to be back on track. We've been training twice a week.
"It just comes down to getting the experience of the games, no-one's played any games. To have that game experience and preparation will help."
This lack of on-court experience was apparent on the weekend, where, as Channells described it, "everyone forgot how fast-paced the game could actually be".
"Ryde's defence was good, they're a very quick team. We just need to find out how to break these teams from the start."
The Bears will have ample opportunity to improve on their opening performance this weekend, when they will play two matches in two days.
The first, on Saturday night, will take place at the Goulburn Basketball Stadium against the Hornsby Ku Ring Gai Spiders.
This will be followed by a clash against the Illawarra Hawks in Wollongong on Sunday.
For the Bears, who are still a very young team by the standard of the competition, the key will be learning from each match they play, Channells said.
"We'll just take it one game at a time, we won't get too far ahead of ourselves," he said.
"We know every team's beatable, we just need to get our match fitness back up and with a positive attitude we'll be fine."
Saturday's match will begin from 6pm, while Sunday's will get underway at 5pm. Channells will also be streaming the matches live on his Facebook page.
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