Women's Preview - Round 8

Tamika Dukes

Eastern Mavericks (5-2, 4th) v Southern Tigers (2-5, 8th)

Saturday May 25, 6.30 pm at Adelaide Hills

The Tigers were swept 2-0 by the Mavericks last season, and as both teams finished 10-8, the Mavericks were allocated the fifth and final seed while the Tigers packed their bags early. The Mavericks won the second match despite star Tess Madgen going off in the second quarter with concussion.

These teams have gone in vastly different directions since the end of last season. The Mavericks won five of six before going down by just three to Forestville in Round 7.

Madgen (31.7 ppg, 54% FG, 12.3 rpg, 7 apg, 3.3 spg, 1 bpg) was held to just 25 points with 6 turnovers against the Eagles. Shannon Tarran (12.1 ppg, 8.3 rpg) scored just 8 points, her lowest total since Round 3, however, Jaimi Rock was impressive with a season high 11 points in the same number of minutes.

The Tigers have beaten the two winless teams in Centrals and South, but have otherwise struggled since losing the cream of their 2012 crop. Last week, they were competitive for a quarter against the Rockets, but were ultimately blown out 54-90.

Denelle Fawcett (12.3 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 2.3 apg) and Stana Zecevic (11.7 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 2 apg) have been standout performers for the yellow and black. Zecevic did not play against her former club last week.

The Tigers have not come any closer than 32 points against the other top five sides, so expect the Mavericks to have a big win.

Norwood Flames (7-0, 1st) v Sturt Sabres (6-1, 2nd)

Saturday May 25, 6.30pm at Mars

In the Match of the Season thus far, the Norwood Flames will be trying to keep their unbeaten run going when they host the 6-1 Sabres.

The Flames seem to be getting better, if that is at all possible. They posted a league high 106 points in last week’s 48 point win over South. The biggest challenge for Coach Simon Pritchard is finding minutes for everyone.

One of those players is Jessica Good. After a blistering start to the season, Good missed the game against Centrals and then played just half of the Panthers game. She still picked up 8 points and 11 rebounds.

On the other hand, Rebecca Duke is becoming more and more valuable. She is averaging 19.3 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 5.3 apg, 3 spg and 1.7 bpg in the last three weeks. Amy Lewis has scored 30 points on 12/15 shooting in her only two games this season, while Jess Foley (18.1 ppg, 52% FG, 8.3 rpg, 4 apg, 3.6 spg) has been at her consistent best.

The Sabres easily took care of Woodville in Round 7, bouncing back nicely from a disappointing effort against the Mavs the previous week. The Sabres held the Warriors to under 23 per cent shooting, but will need to make more than a third of their shots if they are to upset the Flames.

Although they do not have the offensive firepower the Flames possess, the Sabres have been almost as good defensively as the red and the blue (aside from the Mavericks game). Hannah Bowley (14.7 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 2.1 apg), Molly Lewis (10.9 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 3.6 apg), Amy Shaw (10.3 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 3 apg) and Aneeka Smith (10.1 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.7 apg) are just some of the key players in the Sabres’ rotation.

This game will give a good indication of the gap between the best and the rest.

As good as the Sabres have been in 2013, the Flames have been better and should get the job done on their home court.

West Adelaide Bearcats (3-4, 6th) v South Adelaide Panthers (0-7, 9th)

Saturday May 25, 6.30pm at Port Adelaide

West Adelaide will be hoping it is fifth time lucky in this week’s home match with South.

The Bearcats are yet to win at home, but three road wins have kept them in touch with the top five. One of those victories was achieved at Starplex in Round 7, where they put together a big fourth quarter to kill off the Lions.

The red and black have been depleted now that Jessica Mahony and Desinta Cummins are in New Zealand. Ashlea Vordermaier (10.6 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 2.6 apg) and Alana Nairn (7.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg) have produced inconsistent stat-lines, but if the Bearcats are to make a finals push, they need those two on song.

The Panthers have struggled to compete in 2013 and have been heavily reliant on Teresa Kinross (12.3 ppg, 5.9 rpg). Dana Rommel equalled her season high of 14 points last week against Norwood, but other than that, there was not much to take out of the game for Marion’s team.

There should be some optimism for the Panthers ahead of this contest, given they beat the Bearcats at Port Adelaide last season. However, their results suggest they are a better chance of earning a maiden W when they are at home to Centrals next round.

Woodville Warriors (2-5, 7th) v Forestville Eagles (5-2, 3rd)

Saturday May 25, 6.30pm at St Clair

Offensive strugglers Woodville will have their hands full again this week when they take on the Forestville Eagles.

Although the Warriors have been decent defensively in most matches, the Warriors have only scored greater than 52 points twice in seven matches. Last week against Sturt, they registered a season low 38 points.

Katherine Perkas has been the best Warrior in terms of value for shots. She is averaging 9.7 ppg at 45 per cent. She also leads the team in rebounding (8.4 rpg).

Jessica Koch (11 ppg) and Tess Keenan (10.3 ppg) are the team’s leading scorers.

After defeating Eastern 62-59 in Round 7, the Eagles have now won two straight and have moved up into third position. Olivia Thompson, Jess Fergus and Mia Newley are all averaging at least 13 points, but all have been inconsistent offensively.

Although the Eagles have been struggling to put up points, only one opponent (Sturt) has scored more than 64 points against them.

The Eagles have an excellent record against the Warriors and will probably grab this one in scrappy fashion.

Central District Lions (0-7, 10th) v North Adelaide Rockets (5-2, 5th)

Saturday May 25, 6.30pm at Starplex

The Rockets could be as high as second by the end of this round if they can achieve a big win over Centrals.

The Rockets currently sit fifth, but are just one game back from Sturt, who have ladder-leaders Norwood this week. The Rockets have won their last three matches at the expense of Forestville, West and Southern.

Jo Hill (20.2 ppg, 58% FG, 13.5 rpg, 4.5 apg, 2.8 spg) continued her impressive form in Round 7 with a near triple-double and connecting on almost every shot - this in less than 23 minutes of action.

Jamie-Lee Peris (12.9 ppg, 11.1 rpg) is also averaging a double-double, while Shannon McKay (9.7 ppg) can provide points when required.

The Lions looked the goods for three quarters against West, but lost pace in the fourth quarter. Tamika Dukes (23.1 ppg, 11.1 rpg, 2 apg) has been doing everything she can to keep her team competitive, but only Brianna Wedding (9.4 ppg, 10.4 rpg) has been a consistent sidekick.

The Lions showed some good signs against West, but their quest for a first victory will have to wait a little longer.

By James Woite

Photo courtesy of Tanya Fielding




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