THE Tamworth Thunderbolts women's team is one step closer to a finals berth after defeating the Camden Valley Wildfire at the Sportsdome on Sunday.
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Some sublime shooting from Emily Tudman (20 points), Anika Earsman (16 points) and Taylor Skelton (13 points) helped guide the Thunderbolts to an 83-58 victory.
The win caps off a big weekend for the club with the men's Thunderbolts team scoring a 94-66 win over St George on Saturday night.
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Thunderbolts' women's coach Robyn Skelton said the result was down to "a complete team effort".
"It's hard to name a best player from that game," Skelton told the Leader.
"This time last season we were in the same position as Camden, we were winless and keen to win our last two games.
"So, we came into today's game knowing we could not be complacent and had to make it happen."
Skelton said 2019 was meant to be a rebuilding season for the team, but a finals berth was "becoming a reality".
"Without a doubt it's possible for us to play finals," she said.
"We have just one more win to get from our final game, which is against Camden on the road next week."
If successful against the Wildfire next weekend, the Thunderbolts would make their first appearance in the post season since the 1990s.
"It's been an amazing journey for these girls so far this season because they are so young, this was really a historic win," Skelton said.
"This year was meant to be more about learning how to play together, with next year being aimed at making the finals.
"At this point we are on track to be 12 months ahead of schedule, which is amazing."
Skelton said the group had done "a lot of shooting sessions" leading into Sunday's game.
"We have had to cut back on our Sunday training sessions because of games and junior fixtures as well," she said.
"During the week we have focused a lot on our shooting and hoped that our fitness and stuff like that keeps hanging on.
"We have a little way to go yet, but we are making history with such a young group."