Hello after another hiatus and back it is for the one and only OTB.

Once again a few weeks away and the League continues to surprise. Wolves with two straight losses, Lakeside unearthing another gem of an import, Cougars beating Suns and then Suns over Redbacks last weekend! Did I say close league a couple of weeks ago???

This week I look at some different issues. I investigate and look at the other end of the table. At the half way point, three teams are locked in for the wooden spoon.

Cockburn, Stirling and Mandurah are stuck at the end of the sticky end of the competition and all three will find it very hard to climb off that part of the ladder.

A case could be said for all three and their experiences so far and here’s a few in my opinion.

Cockburn- A new coach, a new team and thank goodness for Stephanie Jones. If the import is not there then I don’t know what they would have done. Losing veteran and familiar face Emma Pass this season was always going to be tough but they scored a gem in Jones, who could easily be the best import in the league. She has serious game and is an absolute scoring machine with the ability to score inside and outside. Cockburn will do very well to try and lock her in for next season before another club (here or beyond) pinches her. She is a seasoned veteran and on her big shoulders along have allowed the other youngsters to grow in confidence and keep the Cougars in contests that without her alone they would have no chance!

Stirling- The hottest and coldest team in the League without a doubt. Opposition teams would be in their right mind to hope that the mistake-riddled, poor shooting team shows up rather than the intense, confident and free flowing group that can definitely turn games in their favour. Reading some of their team blogs on the SBL website, apparently every player in the group has improved statistically as individuals, which is good for the individual but not rolling over into results at the moment. The addition of NZ international Karlene Kingi was good for the first part but her stats last couple of games seem to fall away and I’m hearing talk that she is out for the rest of the year with the international commitments. Tough times at the office for the Senators to finish the year off.

Mandurah- This season has been an extraordinary one for the Magic women. So used to finals basketball, the tide has turned on the aging- veteran team. The loss of Casey was huge- coming off an MVP performance last year and I was very surprised when they didn’t bring out an import to help strengthen the team. Every team goes through cycles and as any veteran can testify to... the passion might still be there but the up and backs, the slides, the scrimmages they wear you thin. The positive is when I look at the Mandurah bench, I see youth- this is their future. They blood them early, they look to learn and soon enough they will be the ones running up and down sweating it up. If they can get some quality about their juniors’ level of play this season, don’t be surprised if the same crew do a Perth Redbacks next year- another team with veterans that disappointed last season and are now flying high on the back of solid youth backing up the wily vets.

On another note, congrats too my mate Minda on her article about gay slurs against female athletes. Hitting the mark on the head! Yes just as a normal part of life, homosexual women are everywhere and I wouldn’t even know if it’s more prevalent in womens sport. But yes we are around. I can understand that heterosexual girls could be offended when they are labelled gay by ignorants in our society. For those that are other way inclined, it probably doesn’t offend us as much/if at all if directed at us, but that is just my thoughts. But good on you Min for finally putting it out there!

Next edition, I look to make some predictions on semi-finalists.

The opinions, views and comments in this article are those of the individual and are not the opinions or views of the State Basketball League or Basketball WA.