SBL Round 4 Match Review
The Southlands Boulevarde Willetton Tigers Women’s squad continued on their march to the playoffs with another comfortable win, this time over the Lakeside Lightning.
After an inaccurate 1st quarter in which the Tigers trailed by ten points, Kate Malpass took control of the game with a statistically flawless performance, in which she scored 20 points on 8 of 8 shooting, including three 3 pointers and 6 assists. When asked whether she knew she had such an accurate shooting night, Malpass commented “Yes, but I missed a free throw”.
The Tigers had battled back to lead by 6 points by the half and extended this lead to 18 by ¾ time, running out winners 74 to 46. Coach Robyn Winter would have had to have been pleased by the defensive effort from the Women, limiting the Lightning to a mere 26 points in 3 quarters after quarter time.
Rebecca Duke was again a major factor, with 20 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists, though she would not have been happy with 7 turnovers in 31 minutes. Lightning player coach Jess Van Schie had a nightmare night from the floor, enduring a forgettable 1/18 shooting performance, including an icy 0/11 from 3 point range.
The Tigers now sit comfortably atop the ladder, with 6 wins from 6 games.
Last year’s Men’s Grand Final participants The Lakeside Lightning came to visit The Boulevarde keen for a win having lost to Rockingham the night before. The Tigers were missing star shooting guard Ben Hunt but regained the services of veteran Greg Regan, who returned from a nasty wrist ligament injury.
Lakeside’s sharp shooting Americans Brett Olsen and Christian Moody got the Lightning off to a quick start, hitting frequently from mid range to ensure the Tigers would have to play catch up basketball for the rest of the game.
Luke Kunkel continued his exceptional start to the season, and kept the Tigers perpetually in touch pouring in another 34 points and gathering 11 boards. Kunkel’s shooting enabled the Tigers to be within striking distance in an exciting 4th quarter tussle. The final stanza saw diminutive Lakeside reserve point guard Austin Bruton score 10 of his 16 points with some nifty moves and pull up jumpers off the dribble, each swish seeming like a dagger in the heart of Tiger supporters. But some clutch hustle defence by the Tigers enabled the hot shooting Greg Regan a chance to win the game with a 3 from the corner. Regan’s hot hand (21 points) deserted him at the wrong time however and his 3 pointer would not go down, handing the Lightning a 90 to 88 point win.
See you at the next home game, this Saturday April 26 against the Stirling Senators who feature WNBL star Eleanor Haring and 2008 Olympian Carly Wilson, and former NBL players Carmie Olowoyo and Geordie Cullen.
Women tip off @ 6pm and the Men tip off @8pm.
Matt Muir
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