Week Nineteen SBL Players of the Week
The week nineteen Men’s SBL Player of the Week has been awarded to Mandurah Magic forward, Rhett Della Maddalena.
On Friday night, Mandurah hosted the BOQ Perth Redbacks in what was a must win game for the Magic to ensure they were guaranteed a spot in the finals series.
Knowing what was on the line for the Magic, Rhett Della came out with intent and the Redbacks were powerless to stop him as he recorded eight points in the first two minutes of the game. Della continued to dominate, particularly at the offensive end where he shot fourteen-of-seventeen from the field, to finish with 30 points, 19 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal and 1 block, leading his team to a twenty-two point victory 106-84.
The Mandurah Magic now sit in seventh position on the Men’s SBL ladder and with Rhett Della in stellar form, the dangerous import combination of Taylor Mullenax and Taylor Land firing and the return of Thomas Remmerswaal, the team who meets Mandurah in week one of the finals has reason to be nervous.
Other considerations for the award included Luke Nevill (Kalamunda), Benjamin Beran (Lakeside), Daniel Thomas (Geraldton), Russell Hurst (Goldfields), Jordan Wild (Stirling), Trian Iliadis (Wanneroo), Ty Harrelson (South West), Carter Cook (Geraldton), Bennie Lewis (Perth), Quinn McDowell (Willetton), Brandon Adams (Willetton), Brian Carlwell (Cockburn) and Robert Huntington (Wanneroo).
The week nineteen Women’s SBL Player of the Week has been awarded to Stirling Senators import, Amber Land.
With Stirling scheduled for a bye in the final week of the WSBL, Head Coach Glenn Ellis and his Senators knew if they didn’t manage two wins out of their week nineteen double-header against top-four opponents, Wanneroo and Lakeside, the chances of playing finals were looking slim.
On Friday night the Senators took on the Lightning in an entertaining game at the Warwick Leisure Centre. Amber Land was outstanding for the home side recording 14 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals to lead her team to an important six point victory 73-67.
After putting it all on the line on Friday, the Senators real test was on Saturday night as they visited the Joondalup Basketball Stadium to take on the top ranked Wanneroo Wolves. Amber Land was the difference for the Senators, putting together a stellar performance to record 23 points, 17 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals to lead Stirling to a four point victory 64-60 and guaranteeing them a spot in the finals.
Half-way through the season, many wouldn’t have had Stirling in their finals calculations, however, with Amber Land and Taylor Lilley both in stellar form and Tegan Walker set to return for the finals, the Senators have forced their way into contention for the 2013 WSBL Championship.
Other considerations for the award included Samantha Whitcomb (Rockingham), Kaye Tucker (Rockingham), Lauren Jeffers (South West), Antonio Edmondson (Willetton), Lisa Wallbutton (Willetton), Stephanie Jones (Cockburn), Casey Mihovilovich (Mandurah), Gabby O’Sullivan (Perth), Marita Payne (Perth) and Gabrielle Clayton (Perry Lakes).
Photo by Kerry Leeder: Rhett Della drives past Cockburn centre Brian Carlwell.
Photo by Deprimo Photography: Stirling Senators import Amber Land.
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