Doccy sparks Cougars, tough Lightning start (Week 1 Women's SBL Wrap)
THE Cockburn Cougars might have lost key players coming into the 2015 women's SBL season but playing-coach Deanna Smith delivered a strong season-opening win on Saturday while last year's grand finalists the Lakeside Lightning lost both their opening weekend matches.
With two games on Friday night, three on Saturday night and two on Sunday afternoon, it was a terrific opening to the 2015 women's SBL season.
By the end of it, the Perry Lakes Hawks, Rockingham Flames, Stirling Senators, South West Slammers, Mandurah Magic, Willetton Tigers and Cockburn Cougars all won their opening games while the Lakeside Lightning and East Perth Eagles lost twice across the weekend.
Among the tremendous individual performances saw Deanna Smith record 38 points, seven rebounds and four assists for the Cougars, Amber Land 18 points and 11 boards for the Senators, Rebecca Mercer 26 points for the Wolves and Patricia Bright 23 points and 10 boards for the Slammers.
The 2015 season began on Friday night with two tantalising women's fixtures and they saw the Perry Lakes Hawks beat the East Perth Eagles 73-48 at the WA Basketball Centre and the Mandurah Magic defeat the Kalamunda Eastern Suns 62-49 at Ray Owen Sports Centre.
Saturday saw the Cockburn Cougars beat the Lakeside Lightning 91-73 at Lakeside Recreation Centre, the Rockingham Flames defeat the East Perth Eagles 95-64 at Morley Sport and Recreation Centre and the Stirling Senators beat the Perth Redbacks 62-44 at Curtin University Stadium.
The two Sunday women's fixtures saw the Willetton Tigers beat the Joondalup Wolves 75-60 at Joondalup Basketball Stadium while the South West Slammers defeated the Lakeside Lightning 77-56 at Eaton Recreation Centre.
The strong individual performances began on Friday night with Megan McKay top-scoring for the Hawks with 13 points and six rebounds while shooting an efficient 6-of-8 from the field.
New import Kassi Conditt made an encouraging start to her SBL career with 12 points, eight rebounds and three assists while also doing well shooting 5-of-7 from the floor.
The amount of contributors was perhaps the most encouraging aspect for the Eagles with Stephanie Jones scoring nine points, Denielle Lipscombe six, Courtney Stubbs six, Dannielle Devenny six (seven rebounds), Haylee DeSousa six, Kelsey Maffin five and Nicole Jorre St Jorre four.
The Magic open the new season on the road with Casey Mihovilovich proving her decision to play on in 2015 an early win for the club with her finishing with 14 points, six steals, four rebounds and three assists.
Briana Klasztorny also had 14 points and four boards for Mandurah with Jorjah Smith also adding 14 points and six rebounds off the bench. Ashlee Sidebottom scored 13 points and pulled in six boards as well in a strong all-round showing from the Magic.
Jessie Edwards top-scored for the Suns with 18 points and finished with a double-double pulling in 11 rebounds.
The Cougars' might have lost Marita Payne, Sam Richards and Emma Pass coming into the 2015 season, but on Saturday night playing-coach Deanna Smith showed that she will be doing everything in her power to try and cover their production.
Not only did she coach the Cougars to an 18-point win over a Lightning team who played off in last year's grand final, but put together a remarkable game herself with 38 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals while shooting 11-of-18 from the field, and 5-of-8 from three-point territory.
Ashleigh Grant did all she could to keep the Lightning close to the Cougars and finished with 23 points and 11 rebounds with Courtney Byrnes adding 19 points, four boards and four assists, and Christian Shelter 15 points and 11 rebounds.
Amber Land led the way for the Senators with 18 points and 11 rebounds with Tegan Walker adding 15 points, six boards and six assists.
Meike Elkington did what she could for the Redbacks with 13 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals.
And on Sunday afternoon, the Tigers' women opened their 2015 win a win over the Wolves with Kate Malpass leading the way on her return to the SBL with 23 points on 10-of-19 shooting.
Ebony Antonio had 21 points, four rebounds and three assists for Willetton.
Rebecca Mercer was outstanding with 26 points and four rebounds while shooting 10-of-16 from the field, and 4-of-9 from three-point territory on her return to the SBL with the Wolves.
Patricia Bright was the star of the afternoon for South West with 23 points and 10 rebounds in her SBL debut while Kelly Bastow added 16 points and Deanica McCormick 15 points, 11 assists, eight rebounds and two assists.
Ashleigh Grant top-scored for the Lightning for the second straight game to open the season finishing with 16 points and 12 rebounds.
FRIDAY WOMEN'S SBL MATCHES
Perry Lakes Hawks 73 defeated East Perth Eagles 48
Kalamunda Eastern Suns 49 lost to Mandurah Magic 62
SATURDAY WOMEN'S SBL MATCHES
Lakeside Lightning 73 lost to Cockburn Cougars 91
East Perth Eagles 64 lost to Rockingham Flames 95
Perth Redbacks 44 lost to Stirling Senators 62
SUNDAY WOMEN'S SBL MATCHES
Joondalup Wolves 60 lost to Willetton Tigers 75
South West Slammers 77 defeated Lakeside Lightning 56
Article by Chris Pike
Photo by Mick Cronin
Comments
Comment Guidelines: The SportsTG Network is made up of players, families and passionate sports followers like you who have a strong opinion about sport. That's great - we want you to have your say and share your thoughts with the world. However, we have a few rules that you must follow to keep it fun for all. Please don't be rude, abusive, swear or vilify others. Apart from some pretty serious sport sanctions, we also can ban you and report you if things get out of hand. So play fair and have fun, and thanks for your contribution.