Match reports presented with thanks to Harry Hawker
ECU sports journalism student 

 

Wolves Women Lockdown Home Court

The Chambers Franklyn Joondalup City Wolves Women’s team have locked down home court in their first game at HBF Arena against the Warwick Senators, in front of a huge Wolfpack crowd.

The Wolves toppled the Senators 92-71 on the back of forcing an unfathomable 30 turnovers in 40 minutes including 16 steals.

Head Coach Charles Nix said going in to the game “we’ve got a massive focus on the defensive side of the ball… we like to make things as difficult as possible and be as disruptive as we can be.”

Most valuable player for the night was Isabelle Miotti who put up 14 points, including two threes and some sleek pull-up shots in the mid-range.

Also dominant was former Stirling player and now Wolves vice captain Amber Land, putting up a team high 17 points and pulling down nine boards, including eight of the teams huge 25 offensive rebounds, and snatching four steals.

Some good signs for Warwick in the loss with Emma Burke and Tayla Hepburn both putting up double doubles with points and rebounds and Caitlyn Jones top scoring for the game with 24 points off five three pointers.

The game started somewhat evenly with both teams looking to attack early but Joondalup amped up the defensive pressure coming out of a timeout with the game at 13-10, leading to an 11-4 run heading into the first break.

The Wolves held a comfortable 24-14 lead with Land and Kayla Steindl both putting up seven points in the opening term.

Joondalup came out swinging in the second quarter holding the Senators scoreless in the first two minutes and holding a 16-point lead heading into a timeout.

Again, Joondalup tightened up the defence coming out of the timeout, and despite with Warwick finishing the half with an 8-2 run the Wolves still held a commanding 47-34 at halftime.

There was some sloppy turnovers to start the second half but following a big collision between Tahni Geel and Warwick’s Nicole Jorre De St Jorre, Joondalup seemed to get fired up when they needed it.

We saw Chelsea Belcher, Geel and Miotti all hitting consecutive threes while forcing Warwick into offensive fouls on the possessions in between, before a steal and quick two gave the Wolves a 22 point-lead late in the third.

It was a fairly back and forth end to the quarter with both teams in the bonus, Wolves leading 74-56 with Izzy, Amber and Chelsea all in double figures.

The fourth quarter was standard for the Wolves Women with aggressive defence leading to steals, offensive fouls and cleaning the glass.

Captain Amy Kidner, supported by Steindl, made it five Wolves players in double figures, while Tayla Pipes held down the defensive end snatching her fourth and fifth steals in the final term.

Having an incredible defensive showing, coupled with impressive shooting from deep and in the mid-range, the Wolves made an emphatic statement with a 21-point win in the Battle of Joondalup.

The Wolves Women start the season at 2-0 heading into a game at against East Perth Eagles next week.

Wolfpack Basketball returns to HBF Arena on April 13 against the Perry Lakes Hawks, in Cancer Awareness Round.

 

Wolves Men Dominate the Battle of Joondalup IV

The Chambers Franklyn Joondalup City Wolves beat the Warwick Senators in dominating fashion to help the club win its 5^th straight Merv Day Trophy on Saturday night at HBF Arena.

With four of the Wolves roster boasting double figures and a final score of 101-77, the Wolves toppled the Senators and claimed bragging rights in the now iconic Battle of Joondalup.

Captain Seb Salinas starred with 19 points and five buckets from long range, while Ridell Camidge did damage hitting four three-point daggers on his way to 18 points as well as three steals.

Earnest Ross Jr was doing what only EJ can do posting 21 points, six rebounds and five assists with a trio of threes of his own.

As well as Camidge and Ross putting up big numbers, Kevin Davis filled up the stat sheet scoring 14 points to go along with seven boards, five assists, three huge blocks and two steals.

The first quarter set up what was assumed to be a nail biter with both sides getting show what they can do on offence and neither teem being able to break away early.

The score line leaving the first period was 19-17 to the Wolves and would continue to be back and forth until a timeout was called with 4:39 left on the clock and the score at 30-26.

Following Davis’s slick behind the back assist and a powerful slam from the big man set up by Ross, the Wolfpack would finish the half with a 19-6 run for a halftime score of 49-32.

When asked about what he told the boys during the timeout, Head Coach Ben Ettridge said “this time last week we let a team off the hook, we’re not doing that again, we want to be better than we were last week so lock in and get it done.”

Ross had 13 points going into the main break, while Davis already had stats across the board with nine points, four rebounds, three assists, two blocks and two steals.

While all eyes were on Joondalup in the third quarter who kept their foot on the gas, Warwick’s Justin King posted an impressive 20-point quarter and finished the game with a game high 23.

The fourth quarter started with Ross and Camidge both splashing threes and stretching the lead to 24 before the next possession showed us just what our Wolfpack imports are capable of.

In what was easily the play of the game, Camidge stripped the ball away as the Senators brought the ball up on offence sparking a 2-on-1 fast break for himself and KD.

'Dell' drove in and sent the ball off the backboard for a flashy and powerful alley-oop slam for 'KD', which only further ignited the 750+ home Wolves crowd.

The Wolves finished the game off in the bonus and gathered some more points at the line before a Sean Easther three would set the final score of 101-77 and a 24-point victory for Joondalup.

Following the Merv Day Trophy winning performance, proudly presented by City of Joondalup CEO Garry Hunt, the Wolfpack move to 3-0 on the season ahead of next week’s away game against the East Perth Eagles.