Tomlinson looks for one more dominant showing for Tigers
LOUELLA Tomlinson has made history as a shot blocking machine this season and if she can do it one more time on Friday night at the Bendat Basketball Centre, she could very well lead the Willetton Tigers to the women's SBL championship against the Rockingham Flames.
Tomlinson has recorded 116 blocked shots now in the 2015 SBL season to set a new women's record and not only that, but it's her all round game inside for the Tigers that has helped them back into the grand final this Friday night at the Bendat Basketball Centre.
The 27-year-old Perth Lynx WNBL squad member, who also sits second all-time as a shot blocker in the NCAA following her time with Saint Mary's, has averaged 17.2 points, 9.1 rebounds, 4.9 blocks and 3.1 assists a game this season as Willetton has stormed back into championship contention.
Despite a slip up last year, the Tigers have now either finished first or second at the end of the regular season for 10 of the last 11 years and they have qualified for their first grand final since 2011 attempting to win an eighth women's SBL championship.
It has been far from the Tomlinson show at Willetton this season, though, with Desiree Kelley, Ebony Antonio, Kate Malpass, Lara Napier, Lisa Wallbutton and Zoe Harper among those who have helped them to lose just twice this season and take a 14-game winning run into the grand final.
It sets up a tantalising grand final match up on Friday night at Bendat Basketball Centre now between two teams separated by only one-point between first and second in the standings at the end of the regular season, and who have lost just four times between them for all of 2015.
Tomlinson now can't wait to get out there to find out who the best team of 2015 truly is.
"In terms of both teams, we've got different strengths and weaknesses so I think it's going to be a massive challenge for both teams. It's definitely going to be a great game. We are really excited and now that we've made the grand final it's awesome," Tomlinson told SBL Slam on 98five Sonshine FM.
"We have girls on our team who have never played in a grand final before so it's something we are really looking forward to. Hopefully we can make it a good game for everyone watching and that will only help basketball in Perth."
Article by Chris Pike
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