WNBL Round 4 wrap-up
Wednesday 29 October 2003
So Michelle Brogan took a couple of weeks off to take her son to Disneyland. Well considering she has a spot reserved on the Athens team, I suppose she can afford to be complacent and do anything!
Oh and venue change for the Flames to Bankstown Basektball stadium? NOT IMPRESSED. It's quite inaccessible (it's not even really in Bankstown). And what's taking so long to get the seating in?
This was the televised game but I missed it due to other commitments and I forgot to tape it. Grima (20 points, 9 rebounds) and Hibbert (23 points, 6 steals, 4 assists) were outstanding for the AIS and Glaubitz finally found some form. For the AIS, this was Caitlin Cunningham's break out game with 20 points (9/12 FG) and 9 rebounds. Kathleen McLeod apparently impressed many with her ball-handling and poise and finished up with 13 points and 8 assists.
Ugly game with a combined 59 turnovers with the difference being Belinda Snell. She had 25 points off 9/13 shooting and 8 rebounds. Tully Bevilaqua made her debut and worked hard on defence but Perth couldn't get anything going on the offensive end. Shelley Hammonds sat the game out with a rolled ankle.
Second games of road trips are never easy and when it's the inexperienced AIS against in form Dandenong - the results are fairly predictable. Carly Wilson led the Rangers with 23 points in 23 minutes while Jacinta Hamilton had 18 points, 5 rebounds and 3 blocks in 19 minutes. The Rangers youngsters got a good workout with Walxiel pulling down 10 rebounds. For the AIS, Cunningham led them once again with 13 points. Richards looks to have cooled down after a hot start to the season with only 5 points off 2/9 shooting.
They've had a tough schedule to start the season but Townsville should start worrying. Apparently their tactic for this game was to try and outmuscle LJ but that doesn't work very well anymore (26 points and 15 rebounds for LJ in this game). Maybe they should worry about their own offense instead with offensive weapons Natalie Porter and Gina Stevens combining for an impressive 7/34 from the field. Townsville need to start winning games against top 4 teams (especially ones at home) otherwise they'll find themselves in a hole that's too deep to get out of.
Belinda Snell did go cold (3/16 from the field including 0/9 from the three point line) but that's not the main reason why Sydney lost. The 55-31 rebounding margin hurts a lot. Karen Dalton really has to get it into her big players' heads that they have to box out and rebound. In the games I've seen of them this season, I've noticed the big to be a bit lazy especially on the defensive boards while players like Snell really fights fot the boards. It's no surprise that Sydney's top two rebounders are perimeter players (Snell and Musselwhite). So Randall, Cotton, Hoare and Hammonds better step it up in the paint.
I have to give credit to Adelaide though - they have surprised me this season and they do work hard on the boards and play D. I still think they don't have what it takes to make an impact in the postseason though.
Player of the week (not named LJ): I've renamed this award, considering LJ could conceivably win it every week and we all know how good she is. This wek, I'll give it Caitlin Cunningham because even though her team lost both of its games, she showed glimpses of something very special.
Next week
Perth vs AIS: This is possibly Perth's only chance to win a game this season and having Tully at the point helps (the matchup with McLeod should be a highlight). However Cunningham and Richards are tough matchups for Perth so I'm going to predict an AIS win.
Canberra vs Dandenong: After this game, there will be only one unbeaten team. I really think the key to beating Canberra is to contain everyone else and not over-focus on LJ. Dandenong have the depth and talent but Canberra has LJ. Canberra's also at home so I'll take them in a close one.
Sydney vs Canberra: I *was* going to this game till they changed the bloody location. Sydney have no hope unless they discover the elusive secret of rebounding (here's a hint - boxing out). Canberra should win but it should be an entertaining game especially if Sydney choose to run and gun.
Adelaide vs AIS: Second game of the doomsday double against an experienced team like Adelaide... not good news for the AIS but the battle in the paint should prove to be a highlight (Cunningham/Richards vs Summerton/Sporn/Brogan).
Townsville vs Dandenong: Dandenong makes the long journey up north in a tough roadtrip. This game is very important for Townsville - hopes of playoffs might start to dissipate if they lose at home to a team on the second game of a long roadtrip. I say Townsville finally wakes up and takes this game.