THE Kalamunda Eastern Suns women had a significant turnover with players and a new coach coming on board for 2015, but they've done well to enter the SBL playoffs from fifth position ahead of their quarter-final clash with Casey Mihovilovich and the Mandurah Magic.

The Eastern Suns did well to recover from a slow start to the season to find some outstanding form through the middle part before some late season injuries led to them losing their final four matches.

Kalamunda began its season with three straight losses and losing five of their first six games, but after being 1-5 the Suns were able to win the next nine matches before a loss to second placed Willetton Tigers, and then some injuries conspired to them losing their last four.

However, the Eastern Suns still did well to finish the 2015 regular season with a 12-10 record to book in a quarter-final match up with the Mandurah Magic starting this Saturday night at Ray Owen Sports Centre.

First-year Eastern Suns coach Brett Kranz-Little always knew that the 2015 season was going to be about building for the future following the departures of Ajay Jones, Chelsea Armstrong, Lizel Buckley, Sarah-Jane Knox, Jennie Rintala and Alison Schwagmeyer from 2014.

However, Abbey Duinker, Jessie Edwards, Thea Lemberger (before being injured), Madeleine Dennis, Melissa Moyle, Rebecca Motroni and Natalia Soli'ai have all stepped up to ensure the Suns have ended the regular season in fifth spot and a chance to knock off the Magic.

Kranz-Little had big shoes to fill following on from the outstanding job Craig Mansfield did with the Suns, but he is proud of what his young team has achieved entering the post-season.

"The girls have done well to adjust to a new system, and a new playing group, improving throughout the year. There is a positive feeling within the group, and we know that we are on the right track, as part of a longer journey towards a championship calibre team," Kranz-Little said.

"The team has shown great resilience to continue to get the job done through the injuries and absences we've had. We know that we're a young team, and we're going to have to learn quickly what play-off basketball is all about."

Kranz-Little is no under no illusions as to how tough a Magic team led by Mihovilovich will be to get by in the quarter finals, but he's looking forward to the challenge.

"They are a strong and physical opponent who don't give you a play off," Kranz-Little said.

"Casey Milo has to be one of the top candidates for MVP this year, and to beat this team you have to be able to limit her impact on the game in some way. As a group they have been playing together for a few years now, and that type of continuity always brings chemistry."

Article by Chris Pike
Photo by Mick Cronin