Week One WSBL Wrap
East Perth missed the finals last season, but indicated it will improve significantly this season with a comfortable victory over the Tigers, who finished second last season before it won the Grand Final.
Import forward Kelsey Maffin was the best performer for the Eagles, with 20 points, making 87.5 percent of her field goal attempts in the process. Elizabeth Zezan added 15 points and had six rebounds for the victors.
Willetton coach Glenn Clarke will be frustrated with his side’s inability to support star player Melissa Marsh, who had 18 points, although she did miss 17 of her 24 field goals. The Tigers made only 27.5 percent of its field goals as a team, including a dismal 15.8 percent from long range.
Last season’s minor premiers Perry Lakes Hawks defeated the losing Grand Finalists, Mandurah Magic, 57-51. Perry Lakes trailed by one point at half-time but restricted the Magic to 20 points in the second half to claim victory.
Lyndal Gardner and Tegan Walker were the best players for the Hawks with 18 and 17 points respectively. Gardner’s influence came from beyond the arc, after the guard made four of her six three-point attempts.
For Mandurah, Casey Mihovilovich was the leading scorer with 12 points, while Kelli Hayward had nine points and 13 rebounds.
In an incredible defensive performance, Southside Mitsubishi Perth Redbacks defeated Metropolis Fremantle Cockburn Cougars 45-33.
Perth allowed just 12 points in the second half, with its strong defensive effort ensuring Cockburn made only four of its 28 field goal attempts after half-time and 17.2 percent of them for the match.
Brooke Hiddlestone, the 2009 league Most Valuable Player, once gain was outstanding, after the veteran centre collected 18 points and 18 boards for the Redbacks.
Alex Wright and Lucy Muir were the leading scorers for the Cougars, even though they had just six points each. An under strength Lakeside Lightning side were forced to hold off a second half comeback from Stirling Senators to win 70-62.
The Lightning led 41-23 at the main break but that lead was cut to five at three-quarter-time. Stirling only had 10 points in the final quarter however, ensuring the heavily favoured Lakeside proved victorious.
Courtney Bayliss (21 points) and Courtney Byrnes (17) were outstanding for the victors, while for the Senators, Michelle Joy was the top scorer with 19.
AND1 Kalamunda Eastern Suns won a thriller against Glasscraft Wanneroo Wolves 94-90.
The two sides were separated by two wins on the table last year and showed they will be evenly matched once again with this close encounter.
Kalamunda’s win on the road will give it a great deal of confidence ahead of next week’s trip to Cockburn. Rockingham Flames had little trouble defeating Carpet Court Southwest Slammers 77-48, as was expected.
The Flames won 12 more games than Southwest last season and indicated a wide gap will exist between the two again this season with a comprehensive victory.
Article by Jacob Kagi
Photo by Marg Prior (Kerise Delcoure from the Perth Redbacks jostles for position against the Cougars)
Comments
Comment Guidelines: The SportsTG Network is made up of players, families and passionate sports followers like you who have a strong opinion about sport. That's great - we want you to have your say and share your thoughts with the world. However, we have a few rules that you must follow to keep it fun for all. Please don't be rude, abusive, swear or vilify others. Apart from some pretty serious sport sanctions, we also can ban you and report you if things get out of hand. So play fair and have fun, and thanks for your contribution.