For my POV this week, I thought seeing as we are now past the half-way point of the Season – I would look at candidates for the various League Awards in both the Men’s and Women’s Leagues. The BWA Awards nights is always a great event to attend and catch up with people most of which have been competitors for the majority of the season, and share a laugh or some memories.

 

Women’s MVP

This is definitely a wide open race this year with SEVERAL players putting up their hand regularly in Player of the Week awards, meaning this could come down to the wire. Looking purely at Player of the Week recipients so far in 2016 then Candace Williams (Cockburn) and Stacey Barr (Kalamunda) have to be in that conversation for League MVP Honours, having both won POTW awards twice and also being in many other Teams of the Week.

 

The 7-7 Cougars have had mixed form so far this season, but the form of Williams has been consistent throughout and aside from Cherridy Thornton it’s hard to see anyone else from that Cougars side regularly taking votes off of Williams – The big question will be can they win enough games for her to be a serious contender? Barr and the Suns currently sit at 6-7 with a quirky stat being they have won twice the amount of games on the road as they have up at Ray Owen! Much like Williams, Barr’s only competition from her own team for votes really is Mijovic – but as I also said earlier with Williams, Barr’s biggest challenge will be can the Suns win enough of their remaining games to give her a decent crack of taking out the coveted award.

 

Outside of these two and looking towards the top of the Women’s Ladder, you have the Wolves who have been nothing short of sensational so far this season under Craig Friday’s tutelage. Nikita Martin and Klara Wischer have led the Lady Wolfpack superbly but could very well be taking votes off each other each week, along with my pick for the Women’s Most Improved player in Amy Kidner. Kidner has proven to be a genuine offensive threat, really taking her game to a whole new level and is definitely someone that would be getting a lot more focus in opposition scouting reports. Then you head down to the likes of last year’s Grand Finalists in the Flames (2^nd) and the Tigers (3^rd). Both teams with a plethora of stars with established leaders in Malpass, Tomlinson & Antonio for the Tigers, whilst for the Flames it is the three-time reigning League MVP Whitcomb along with Garbin, J Bourne, Kennedy as well as new addition Ibekwe who lead the two time defending champions. The irony of having such great groups of players is inevitably they all take votes off each other, and so as good as some of these players have played this season – it is hard to see the MVP coming from either the Flames or Tigers purely due to their depth and ability for one of their ‘stars’ to perform better than the others on any given night. That being said though, Whitcomb would be my pick out of that bunch purely for two reasons – she is the best player we have ever seen in this League and her form so far in 2016 has been her usual stellar self. You only had to have been at Mike Barnett on Saturday night to see Stirling supporters clapping her efforts as she single handily took apart the Senators Women.

 

My Pick – Candace Williams (Cockburn)

Dark Horse – Sami Whitcomb (Rockingham)

 

Women’s Most Improved

As I stated above, Amy Kidner (Joondalup) would have to go close for this one. Having a great year statistically and is one of the major reasons Joondalup currently sit atop the Women’s Standings. Others who I think are a chance for this award would be Desiree Kelly (Willetton); Rebecca Motroni (Kalamunda); Kate Anthony (Perry Lakes) and Ashleigh Grant (Lakeside)

 

My Pick – Amy Kidner (Joondalup)

Dark Horse – Ashleigh Grant (Lakeside)

 

Women’s Coach of the Year

Names which might be thrown up for this award would be Petrik, Parker or Jackson, but given that his side has only lost one game this season – thanks to some final second Whitcomb heroics for the Flames, I think the clear cut favourite for this award would have to be Craig Friday. In the past couple of seasons, whenever you mentioned the Wolfpack – most people automatically thought of the Men’s program and the immense amount of success that they have had. Craig has now taken a Women’s program which has challenged the likes of Rockingham and Willetton in previous seasons only to fall short in the Semi’s; and now made that program one of the most elite in the state with a lot of their Australian players, having come through the Wolves junior program. Only a major form reversal in the last few rounds would see this award not head up the Freeway to a much deserved winner.

 

My Pick – Craig Friday (Joondalup)

Dark Horse – Craig Jackson (Perry Lakes)

 

Women’s All Star Five

(C) Louella Tomlinson (Willetton)

(PF) Klara Wischer (Joondalup)

(SF) Candace Williams (Cockburn)

(SG) Sami Whitcomb (Rockingham)

(PG) Stacey Barr (Kalamunda)

 

Men’s MVP

A lot like the Women’s MVP race, I think unlike previous years where there have been one or two significant standouts, this could go to one of many players in 2016 – such has been the evenness and level of talent in the League. Once again looking at Player of the Week awards, and the first thing that pops out to me here is that unlike the Women’s POTW Award where Whitcomb, Barr & Williams have each won the award twice, every POTW for the Men this year has been someone different! This just further reinforces my point of how even and talented this season has been and which is why it will be extremely hard to confidently pick the Top 3, let alone an overall winner.

 

Looking at it from a Ladder perspective, and once again as has become somewhat of the norm in recent years we have Joondalup once again sitting atop the standings and for good reason too. Retaining the core group of Salinas, Iliadis, Davis & Huntington was always going to make the boys from South Gero instant contenders once again, but then with the addition of Evans & Hire coming back into the fold, it really does make it hard for anyone to challenge the defending Champions. However what all this talent does do is much like the Flames & Tigers Women, it means that their depth is their weakness when it comes to individual awards. If I had to pick one from the Wolves, it would be Iliadis who just seems to get better and better with each year – It really does baffle me how Trian never got a NBL gig after coming back from ODU but whether it was a personal decision of his not taking a Development Contract if it was offered to him, or if there were no offers at all; the Wolves have definitely been the benefactor for this incredible talent.

 

Outside of the League Leaders and it really is a case of where do you start!? Najee Lane has once again made the Cougars a serious contender, but with teammates such as Goode, Field, DT & Pesava all playing well – you just can’t see him gathering enough votes to challenge. The same can be said for Damien Scott, who has had a remarkable middle part of the season but will inevitably lose votes to Bowie who was in ridiculous form at the start of the season, and then other Willo players such as Armour, Cody & Funches will all take votes away from Damo. Looking at it from this theory, and it really leaves what I think are three standouts for the award: Cody Ellis (Stirling) who whilst surrounded by guys like AJ & Lindbergh, has been the standout player for the Senators this season and will be a major factor in just how deep the boys from Warwick go in the Finals. I think he is a huge chance of taking out the League MVP Award. Then you have someone like previous MVP Winner Cooper Land. Whilst the Flames have been somewhat inconsistent in 2016, Land once again has led the Flames from the front and would have to be a serious contender to take out the Award for a second time. Finally there is someone who I think may be overlooked by many, but has to be considered a strong dark horse for the MVP title and that would be Jacob Holmen. The Giants Captain has been a shining light in an otherwise disappointing season for the Kalgoorlie-based side so far in 2016, and the clear fact that his only other threat for MVP votes is Manigault, would have me thinking he is definitely a player who could surprise many with the amount of votes he polls early on in the season when the Giants were winning a few games.

 

My Pick – Cody Ellis (Stirling)

Dark Horse(s) – Jacob Holmen (Goldfields) / Cooper Land (Rockingham)

 

Men’s Most Improved

I think the Most Improved award for the Men is a little bit easier to pick, and if I am correct for the MVP pick, it should be going to another player from the Senators in Jayden Coburn. Coburn has really come on in leaps and bounds this season, going from a role player off the bench to a strong contributor and starter for the Senators under the guidance of Mike Ellis. It’s not just on the offensive end that Coburn has improved either, with his defense regularly shutting down some of the best opposition guards and leading to steals / fast breaks for him personally or his team mates. Other chances for the award would include: Matt Honey (Rockingham); Julian Pesava (Cockburn); Ash Litterick (Stirling) and Geordie Murray (Kalamunda)

 

My Pick – Jayden Coburn (Stirling)

Dark Horse – Julian Pesava (Cockburn)

 

Men’s Coach of the Year (John Gardiner Medal)

Can Matt Parsons go back to back after a very popular win in 2015 and maintaining that form so far in 2016 with his Cougars? Surely Ben Ettridge must come into consideration given the dominance of the Wolves over most of the League throughout this season. Does Nik Lackovic raise his hand after the form reversal of the Redbacks in recent weeks making them not only a genuine Finals contender now, but a team if they can all stay fit and healthy who could make a lot of noise come mid to late August given the form they are currently in. Then you have someone like Stephen Black who has done a great job since taking over from his dad, and given the Tigers current ladder position and form, you would have to consider him for the gong! Or perhaps it goes to Mike Ellis, who has turned a perennially underachieving Senators program into one now which on their night, can pretty much challenge anyone in the League and in a one game Grand Final, would not be beyond them to pull off a huge win and cap off a remarkable season.

 

My Pick – Ben Ettridge (Joondalup)

Dark Horse(s) – Matt Parsons (Cockburn) / Stephen Black (Willetton)

 

Men’s All Star Five

(C) Marcus Goode (Cockburn)

(PF) Cooper Land (Rockingham)

(SF) Cody Ellis (Stirling)

(SG) Damien Scott (Willetton)

(PG) Trian Iliadis (Joondalup)

 

Referee of the Year – Steve Diconza

Most Improved Referee – Kyle Easther

 

                                                                                                                                                                       

 

Hawks @ Perth (Belmont Oasis 8:30pm Friday Night)

So the Hawks, coming off a tough Week 13 going 0-2 on their Double Header, head to Belmont to take on a Redbacks side who currently sit on a three game winning streak and with confidence increasing with every win. Perth coming off a comfortable win up in the Goldfields and with Vigor & Thomas leading the way, it will be hard to see Perry Lakes containing the agile and athletic Perth duo in this one.

Redbacks to make it four in a row, defeating the Hawks by 7

 

Flames @ Lakeside (The Church 8:30pm Friday Night)

The third last home game for the struggling Lightning, and if they go down to the Flames in this one – you would have to say that is their season done and dusted for 2016 (Though given their form away from South Lake, some may say that is already the case). Rockingham hit the road after pushing the Senators for a half down at The Hothouse last Saturday night, only to fall in a heap in the second half and record a disappointing loss at home to a far more consistent Stirling side.

Rockingham needing a confidence boost and to play with some consistency, whilst the Lightning needs more out of their local contingent. Flames in an ugly one by 12

 

Wolves @ Willetton (Willetton Basketball Stadium 8:30pm Friday Night) **Game of the Week**

What a game this promises to be as the boys from Joondalup head to The Boulevarde to take on a Tigers side who will be confident of improving their 7-2 record at home in this one. Some great matchups all across the floor but I think bench depth will play a significant role in this one and it has all the ingredients to get a bit fiery between two of the more physical sides in the League.

Wolves susceptible on the road in 2016 compared to their perfect home record, and this definitely does pose as a danger game for Etto’s wild dogs… Tigers in an upset by 3

 

Buccs @ South West (Eaton Rec Centre 7:30pm Saturday Night)

So the Buccs hit the road as they get set to take on the Slammers down in the South West. Massive signing towards the end of last week for Gero with Jackson Hussey making an immediate impact against the struggling Magic last Saturday night up in the Midwest. His addition along with a healthy Adekponya could see the Buccs regain their position in the Top 4 very quickly. For South West, and if they go down here to the visiting Buccs – it could very well put a massive dent in their playoff chances. Need to definitely reproduce their form which seen them upset the Hawks last Friday night

Somewhat of a danger game for Gero here, but with Adekponya now fit and Hussey sliding into the rotation very comfortably – it’s hard to make a case for South West here. Buccs to effectively end their Slammers finals hopes, winning by 17

 

Senators @ Goldfields (Brookman St Stadium 7:30pm Saturday Night)

Haney’s men now in very real danger of missing the Finals, with their last win some eight games ago and with a confident Stirling outfit making the long journey east to take them on – it is very hard to see that losing streak ending before this one is over and done with. Stirling continue to impress behind Ellis, Lindbergh & Majstrovich with solid contributions from Coburn, Litterick & Bruton – show it is going to take all of the Giants depth to cause the upset on their home floor.

Stirling to increase their winning streak to 4, defeating the hapless Giants by 19

 

Lightning @ Joondalup (Joondalup Basketball Stadium 8pm Saturday Night)

Both these teams backing up after Friday night games but both with severely contrasting form when it comes to this game. Lakeside 1-5 on the road so far this season, whilst the Wolfpack are undefeated 8-0 up in the Northern Suburbs and not even the most optimistic person could see Lakeside walking away with the W here.

Wolves to make it two losses in two nights for Lakeside, winning by 39

 

Redbacks @ East Perth (Morley Sport & Rec 8pm Saturday Night)

Somewhat of a local derby here as the Redbacks make the short trek across the Swan River to Morley to take on the Eagles in this clash of two of the better big men in the League in Jervis & Vigor. Whilst that should be a fascinating matchup inside, the clash I think will determine who wins or loses this one will more than likely be between Vague & Demunyck.

A very interesting clash indeed as if the Redbacks can’t contain Jervis, they may struggle to score enough to beat the Eagles here. East Perth to knock off their more fancied rivals by 5

 

Tigers @ Cockburn (Wally Hagan 8pm Saturday Night)

Everybody loves a local derby, and there is something always just that little bit more special when these two sides take on each other which makes it very much worth the spectacle if you aren’t affiliated with either club. The key to this game is who stops Goode inside for the Tigers?! Field v Scott & Lane v Bowie should cancel each other out, but the defining factor here will be how well Willo can contain the Cougar big if he gets off to a flier early in front of the masses down in Hammy Hill.

I genuinely can’t see who stops Goode for Willo, so I will go with the Cougars to get the W at home – defeating the Tigers by 8

 

Suns @ Mandurah (Mike Barnett 8:30pm Saturday Night)

If you look at the Ladder and see 13^th vs 14^th… You really wouldn’t think this would be of the highest calibre kind of game given the year both these teams have had. But on the flipside, I think especially given the fact the Magic are without Mullenax for the remainder of the year – this could be the highest scoring game of the year with not a whole lot of defense expected to be played and both sides running a fairly free flowing type of game.

Not sure of who to predict but I do think both these teams will get 120+… the question is who gets the higher score!? I will say the Suns in an upset of sorts, winning by 7

 

Buccs @ East Perth (Morley Sport & Rec 12pm Sunday Arvo)

With the risk of repeating myself in this preview, and in the next game also – both these sides play the night before so the biggest challenge here could be with the coaches and managing their players so that they can run out the game as best as possible. Bench depth not high on either side but the slight advantage to East Perth. If Ralphy and Hussey can score double digits off the bench for Trahair’s boys – Gero could go 2 from 2 for the weekend, but if they can’t stop Jervis, Vague and Williamson… then it’s hard to see the Buccs being able to post a winning score.

Eagles in a close one by 4 points

 

Slammers @ Kalamunda (Shed in the Sticks 2pm Sunday Arvo)

Both sides just playing for pride now after I imagine the Slammers will go down to Gero down at Eaton on Saturday night, whilst the Suns could help back up the hill for this one buoyed with confidence if they manage to get the win down in Rocko over the Magic the previous night. Crazy to think the Suns have a decent crack at going 2-0 for the weekend here, such has been the form of the Slammers on the road this season with only the solitary win away from Eaton.

South West will want to split the weekend double header at the very least to hold onto some faint hope of making the Top 8 come August, but poor road form and a Suns side who should be up for the challenge make me think this could spell disaster for the boys from the south. Suns to go 2-0 and in the process maybe jump off the bottom of the Ladder, defeating the Slammers by 11

Article by Travis Young
Photo by Deprimo Photography