2013 started off in winning fashion for the Mandurah Magic women as they opened their account with a Round One victory over Perry Lakes on Saturday night.

 The 63-60 victory was the perfect start for returning head coach Brooke Burns who returned to the club this year to replace Mark Utley at the helm.

 After winning only two games during the 2012 season, the victory was made even more significant as this was the first win on the road for the Magic since the 2011 season.

 2011 League MVP Casey Mihovilovich, who missed all of last year after giving birth to her second child, also returned to the team. The Magic’s new import Brittany Ward will have to wait another week to step onto the court for the first time while she waits for her working permits to clear.

 This was also the first game for former SBL Coach of the Year CJ Jackson who took over from Ric Morcom as head coach of the Hawks late last year.

 Nat Burton started the game looking to show why she deserved the West Coast Waves Rookie of the Year award as she used her height to her advantage in the low post. Burton also gave the Hawks numerous second chance baskets with some key offensive rebounds.

 Magic young gun Ashlee Sidebottom also had a fast start to the game and was able to get Burton in early foul trouble. Sidebottom has 14 points to half time, already two points better than her career high.

 The Hawks took a three point lead into half time on the back of Rebecca Boyanich who proved dangerous from mid range. However the Magic picked up their game defensively and were able to find their shooting touch.

 With Burton on the bech, Gemma Thomas began to dominate inside for the Magic, and Mihovilovich's speed up the floor resulted in numerous transition baskets.

 The Magic took a two point lead into the final quarter and were able to hang on despite the play of Burton and Boyanich. The game was ultimately won at the free throw line with the Magic converting on 10 from 12 in the final term.

 Thomas led the scoring for the Magic with 17 points while Sidebottom finished with 16. Mihovilovich's all around game saw her finish with 16 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists.

 Burton was Perry Lakes' best with 17 points and 12 rebounds while Boyanich added 13.

 Round 2 sees the Magic head to Lakeside on Saturday night to take on the in-form Lightning, while the Hawks host last year's champions the South West Slammers at home also on Saturday night.

 

 

 

The Mandurah Magic men's side looked to carry over their good form from last season into the new year with two wins in the opening round of 2013.

  However they came away splitting both games, going down to Perry Lakes on Saturday night but bouncing back at home on Sunday with a win over Geraldton.

  The Magic found it tough to counteract the hot shooting of the Hawks on Saturday night with former Perth Wildcat Adrian Majstrovich doing most of the damage.

  New recruit Rhett Della was solid for the Magic on both ends of the floor, and his rebounding was a key to getting the Magic numerous second chance opportunities.

  The Hawks looked to set up their win with a solid second term and took a nine point lead into half time but the Magic came out of the locker room fired up and regained a one point lead going into the last quarter.

  However the Hawks hot shooting proved too much for the Magic as they ran away with the game. Majstrovich finished with a game high 27 points, while new import Michael Lay added 19.

  Tylor Mullenax was Mandurah's leading scorer with 19, while Della finished with 15 points and 15 rebounds.

  Mandurah made the trip home on Sunday afternoon to host Geraldton in a physical game and came away with a 98-91 victory.

  Despite the efforts of new import Jamine Peterson, the Buccaneers shot a poorer percentage from the floor and couldn't convert on their free throw opportunities.

  The Magic flew out of the gates opening up an early 17-2 lead. Peterson did his best to cut the deficit and managed to take his team into the main break only trailing by 3.

  Magic coach Jason Chalk was able to look to his bench in the third quarter and it was Frank Fimmano who provided the spark. Consecutive three pointers by Fimmano restored momentum for the Magic and kept the Buccaneers at bay.

  Foul trouble proved costly for both teams as Buccaneers big man Matt Wundenberg fouled out midway through the last quarter, as did Magic guard Taylor Land. However the Magic did enough to hold on for their first win of the year and keep the Buccaneers winless from their first two games.

  Taylor Mullenax and Rhett Della both led the scoring for Mandurah with 18 while captain Ben Caporn and Andrew Bowman each had 16.

  Peterson was the star for Geraldton with 38 points while Wundenberg had 14.

  The Magic head to Lakeside next Saturday night to face the Lightning, who will be confident after their 49 point drubbing of the Stirling Senators.

Articles by  Nathan Winch