Two wins for Suns keeps them in title hunt (Week 14 Women's SBL Wrap)
LAST year's women's grand finalists Kalamunda had a strong Week 14 in the SBL with back-to-back wins but they are still chasing down Rockingham, Lakeside and Joondalup who continued to post victories.
The Kalamunda Eastern Suns beat the Perth Redbacks on Saturday night and then the Mandurah Magic on Sunday to stay in touch for a top four berth, but they continue to chase the unbeaten Rockingham Flames, second-placed Lakeside Lightning and third-placed Joondalup Wolves.
The two women's matches on Friday night saw the Orange Autos Rockingham Flames beat the Mandurah Magic 98-59 at Mike Barnett Sports Complex and the Willetton Tigers defeat the Collie Crane Hire South West Slammers 79-62 at Willetton Basketball Stadium.
There were four women's SBL matches on Saturday with the Collie Crane Hire South West Slammers thrashing the Perry Lakes Hawks 84-55 at Eaton Recreation Centre and the Lakeside Lightning winning a 63-62 thriller over the Willetton Tigers at Lakeside Recreation Centre.
The Joondalup Wolves also beat the Schweigen East Perth Eagles 63-58 at Morley Sport and Recreation Centre and the Kalamunda Eastern Suns thumped the Perth Redbacks 97-70 at Ray Owen Sports Centre.
And finally on Sunday, the Kalamunda Eastern Suns beat the Mandurah Magic 94-85 at Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre.
The results leave the Orange Autos Rockingham Flames still out on top of the women's SBL at 17-0 ahead of the Lakeside Lightning (12-3), Joondalup Wolves (10-4), Stirling Senators (9-5) and the Mandurah Magic (10-6).
The Kalamunda Eastern Suns (9-7) then occupy sixth position in the standings followed by the Soprano Lady Cougars (8-7) and the Collie Crane Hire South West Slammers (6-10).
Outside the top eight are the Perry Lakes Hawks (5-10), Willetton Tigers (5-11), Schweigen East Perth Eagles (2-14) and the Perth Redbacks (0-16).
Once again there was plenty of outstanding individual performances across the weekend as well.
On Friday night, once again it was emerging centre Darcee Garbin who led the way for the Flames with another 30 points and 17 rebounds while shooting 12-of-21 from the field and a perfect 6-of-6 from the free-throw line.
Samantha Whitcomb also starred for Rockingham with 28 points, seven rebounds, six steals and four assists with Tarsha Fletcher adding 10 points, six rebounds and three assists.
Casey Mihovilovich did all she could for the Magic finishing with 22 points, four rebounds, two steals and two blocked shots.
Lisa Wallbutton top-scored for the Tigers with 22 points, eight rebounds and three assists with Antonia Edmondson adding 11 points and Emma Lobb 10 points, six boards and three assists.
Amy Patton still had a big game for the Slammers despite the loss with 29 points, 12 rebounds and four assists with Lauren Jeffers adding 15 points, five boards, three steals and two assists.
And then on Saturday night, Lauren Jeffers had a night out for the Slammers with 31 points, eight assists, four rebounds, four steals and three blocked shots with Tahna Sears also contributing 13 points and 12 boards.
Rosie Tobin top-scored for Perry Lakes with nine points while Anna Kovats and Sarah Donovan added eight apiece.
Courtney Byrnes led the way for the Lightning with 16 points, four rebounds and three assists with Emily Fielding contributing 14 points, seven boards, three assists, two steals and two blocked shots.
Lisa Wallbutton finished with 14 points and 13 rebounds for Willetton with Emma Lobb adding 14 points and six boards, and Ebony Antonio 13 points and six rebounds.
Nikita-Lee Martin returned for the Lady Wolfpack and was terrific with 23 points and nine rebounds on the back of shooting 10-of-15 from the field.
Stephanie Jones top-scored for East Perth with 19 points to go with seven rebounds and three assists.
Alison Schwagmeyer top-scored for the Eastern Suns with 21 points, eight rebounds and five steals with Jessie Edwards adding 18 points and eight boards, Jennie Rintala 14 points and 10 rebounds, Adrienne Jones 14 points, Natalia Soli'ai 10 (12 rebounds) and Chelsea Armstrong 10.
Jess Jakens top-scored for the Redbacks with 21 points and eight rebounds with Gabby O'Sullivan scoring 14 points and Monique Kickett 12.
And on Sunday, Alison Schwagmeyer top-scored for the Eastern Suns with 19 points, nine rebounds, six assists and three steals.
Jennie Rintala also added 18 points for the Suns, Adrienne Jones 16 and Jessie Edwards 15 to go with her nine rebounds.
Hailey Dunham had a huge afternoon for the Magic with 36 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two steals on the back of shooting 14-of-21 from the field.
Jorjah Smith added 18 points for Mandurah and Casey Mihovilovich 16.
FRIDAY WOMEN'S SBL MATCHES
Orange Autos Rockingham Flames 98 defeated Mandurah Magic 59
Willetton Tigers 79 defeated Collie Crane Hire South West Slammers 62
SATURDAY WOMEN'S SBL MATCHES
Collie Crane Hire South West Slammers 84 defeated Perry Lakes Hawks 55
Lakeside Lightning 63 defeated Willetton Tigers 62
Schweigen East Perth Eagles 58 lost to Joondalup Wolves 63
Kalamunda Eastern Suns 97 defeated Perth Redbacks 70
SUNDAY WOMEN'S SBL MATCHES
Mandurah Magic 85 lost to Kalamunda Eastern Suns 94
Article by Chris Pike
Photo by Mick Cronin
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