It is a special occasion when a father and son or mother and daughter share the spoils of being team-mates on the sports field. The situation is one to be treasured forever and  becomes extra special when the pair shares in the satisfaction and emotion of winning a premiership.  The Zoee/ Shelley Cornolo daughter and mother combination added something on court to the convincing victory by the Bulldogs Women in the 2011 winter South East Coast Basketball League grand final.

It took a little tweaking of mental approaches to their respective games in the early weeks of the season but they soon became double trouble as perimeter shooters for opponents.

Daughter Zoee has graduated through the age groups as one of the most skilled juniors. She represented SA Country as an Under14 at the Australian Country Junior Basketball Cup. Her step into senior ranks this season gives promise of a long and successful basketball career in the coming years, following in the footsteps of her mother.

Mother Shelley established herself as one of the top basketballers locally and interstate firstly as a junior and then as a member of the Mount Gambier senior team which proved to be the most decorated Women’s team in SA Country and Victoria Country Championships. Her trademark continues to be her shotgun accuracy from beyond the arc. Shelley led Bulldogs in their domination of the A Grade competitions in the ‘80s during which time they won six premierships.

There has been a long time between flags for the Bulldogs senior women’s team but this winter title suggests that there are more to come. The team, led by Sara Chapple, boasts a sound balance of youth including Zoee Cornolo, Ebony McDiarmiod and Morgan Amy along with experienced players of the calibre of Jess Telfer, Peta Simkin and Sarah Lock suiting up again.