“The last time a team went unbeaten through the season and won the Jan Duncan Memorial Trophy (for premier winners) was in 2009 when Whangara Old Girls did it. Since then teams have come close, but have fallen short during semis.”
The year after Whangara went through undefeated they remained unbeaten through both round-robin rounds, but never made the final.
“So it doesn’t look like a two-season run has been done before, unless it was before our computer records from 2009.”
YMP co-coach Irene Takao said consistency in personnel and good play right through the court were keys to the team’s continued dominance.
“The bones of the team are very strong, and even though we have some work to do, I think we can do better,” she said.
“I’m just really encouraged by the development of our young players. There is not a lot of experience in there but they are getting experience as they go along because they are playing so well.”
Takao said the midcourt had been excellent to date, while the shooters had remained consistent and the defenders were still getting better.
“The biggest thing now is just to maintain what we have got and work on from there.”
Tomorrow’s game between Whangara and Girls’ High wraps up the first round-robin stage, after Horouta Gold beat Girls’ High 55-42 midweek.
