WNBL Review - Round Four

Defending Champions, the Dandenong Rangers, are in the lead of the Price Attack Women’s National Basketball League after four rounds, after the Canberra Capitals were defeated by the Sydney Uni Flames on Saturday night and relinquished their share of the lead.

The Rangers defeated the Townsville Fire on Saturday night, 99-68, in a convincing display of basketball. The Fire kept up with the Rangers talent for the first half, before Carly Wilson and Jacinta Hamilton steered the team home with 16 and 17 points respectively.

Townsville started their weekend at the Veneto Club, taking on Bulleen Melbourne in an exciting and entertaining ball game.

Katrina Hibbert made her stake for a second League MVP title, shooting 21 of her 30 points in the first half. She was backed up by captain, Desiree Glaubitz, who had 22 points for her team.

Despite a great effort in the first half, with great shooting from Tania Heritage and exciting play from Rohanee Cox, Townsville were unable to match it with the home team, Bulleen running out 93-77 winners.

In Friday night’s other match, Canberra’s 2005/06 team faced their first game without Lauren Jackson. The Perth Lynx travelled to Canberra for the match where they showed great fighting spirit to lose by only 11 points, 78-67.

The Lynx came out firing in the first quarter, determined to show they have what it takes to win matches in this league. They were leading 25-15 at the first break, but Canberra were able to slowly clamber back throughout the match and held Perth to nine points in the final quarter to take the win.

Jenny Whittle’s 26 points for Canberra was almost matched by Deanna Smith’s 25 points for Perth.

Canberra then travelled to Sydney for a tough test on Saturday night. Sydney Uni were looking to keep their fans happy, after losing their first home game to Adelaide last week.

A big crowd was thoroughly entertained for the full 40 minutes as Canberra gave their team a run for their money in the opening stages. Trish Fallon and Michelle Musselwhite were best for the Flames with 22 and 19 points, while Jenny Whittle once again stepped up for her team, scoring 17 points.

The hole left by Jackson will be hard to fill. Despite being taller than the Flames inside, Canberra were unable to match the skill and toughness of the likes of Fallon and Natalie Porter (11 points).

Sydney Uni defeated the Capitals, 92-68.

In the weekend’s final match, Perth pulled off a huge upset, defeating the Adelaide Fellas at the Distinctive Homes Dome, 84-76. Former Adelaide player, Deanna Smith, again did the damage for her new team, scoring 23 points and pulling in 11 rebounds. Jasmine Finnigan (22) and Melissa McClure (15) were also on fire for the Lynx.

Tami Willey (16) was best for Adelaide, who, as a team, struggled to put the ball in the hole all match.

The AIS sat out with the bye this week, therefore unable to lift themselves from the bottom of the ladder. Still undefeated, Dandenong are out in front, followed by Bulleen, Canberra, and Perth. Winning Saturday’s match against Canberra has pushed Sydney Uni into fifth position, Townsville are in sixth and the loss to Perth sees Adelaide in seventh.

On the point’s ladder 2004/05 MVP Katrina Hibbert is the leader with an average of 22.6 per game. Perth import Katharine Hanks is second on 22.2 and Dandenong’s WNBL Ambassador Carly Wilson has moved into third place with an average of 19.7.

Adelaide’s Laura Summerton is leading the rebound tally with an average of 10.5 per game; Rohanne Cox of the Fire is in the list again, this time in second place with 9.5 per game and Bulleen’s Hollie Grima is averaging 8.0 per game in third place.

Emily McInerny is leading the assist tally with 5.7 per game. Round Two Player of the Week, Erin Phillips is close behind with 5.5, ahead of point’s leader Katrina Hibbert on 5.2 per game.

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WNBL Preview - Round Four (Thurs Oct 20)