Flames Women Secure State Captain The Rockingham Flames women’s State Basketball League team has secured one of the biggest new signings of the league’s offseason to date after agreeing to terms with Dannii Devenny for season 2010. Devenny’s resume at just 18 years of age is one of the most impressive across the country having represented WA at National Championships from 2005-2009 (once as vice captain, twice as captain) and has played in the WSBL since 2006 for East Perth and Stirling. Further to this she was a member of Perth’s Women’s National Basketball League team the Perth Lynx in the 2008/09 season. 2008 was Devenny’s breakout year when, as a 17 year old she averaged 29 minutes a game in the WSBL before heading into a whirlwind 2009 where she won a bronze medal as Captain of WA’s under 20’s state team, returned to the SBL to average 13.5 points and 9 rebounds before moving to Rockingham and being unable to transfer mid-season. Devenny is currently playing in the US college basketball system for Montana Tech in the NAIA Division 1 where she will hone her skills before her college commitments finish in May each year. Flames Head Coach Ryan Petrik could barely contain the smile on his face when commenting on the signing; “Danni is a super player and I still can’t believe that she will be playing for us next season. To have someone who can do what she does at just 18 years of age is perfect not just for our pursuit of a championship in 2010, but it gives us someone to help build the team around and be a constant challenger for many, many years to come. Considering that when she comes home from college she will be twice the player that she was when she left and won’t hit her peak for another 7 or 8 years the sky is the limit for Dannii”. Petrik also made it clear that it was a win for both parties, “Even if you ignore how good a player she is, the fit is perfect for both sides. She loves to shoot the 3 – we shot more 3’s than anybody last season; if she wants to get out and run and utilise her athleticism – all we do is run; she’s young – where one of the youngest squads around. But most importantly she can rebound the ball – by far our biggest weakness in 09. And finally considering she now lives in Rockingham you couldn’t have asked for a more perfect arrangement.” And it wasn’t just the coach who was rapt with the signing with Dannii making it clear that Rockingham was where she wanted to be when in WA in 2010 and beyond. “The pre-season here at college has been better than I could have imagined and I am fitter than ever. Although it is a long way off I can’t wait to see what I can do for the Flames girls next season when I return from college for the WSBL season. I think they have a tough squad and I love Coach Petrik’s style of play. I am looking forward to contributing to his program and having a long association with the Rockingham Flames”. For all updates and progress of the Lady Flames team visit their official website www.rockinghamflames.com.au