Game 3: Stacks Goudkamp Bears v Victoria

Victoria has picked up where they left off in season 2012 by beating Stack Goudkamp 52-44 in the first game of day two.

Shooting percentage was the difference in this one with Stacks managing nine more scoring opportunities, unable to convert shooting at just 30%. Mari Amimoto again the best for the Bears with 22 points.

Victoria showed they are still a force to be reckoned with, able to spread the scoring amongst their three Paralympic representatives in London in Shelley Chaplin (17), Leanne Del Toso (13) and Cobi Crispin (12). Swimmer turned wheelchair basketballer, Ellie Cole, showed she is no fish out of water, showing plenty with six points on debut.

 

Game 4: Sydney University Flames v Minecraft Comets

Both team matched up really well against each other in game four of round 1 of the WNWBL but it was the Flames who managed to open their account with a 51-45 win over the Comets.

Sarah Stewart was brilliant doing most of the damage in the last quarter finishing with a team high 21 points. Katie Hill was also important with 14 points and five assists while Caitlin De Wit made the most of her chances converting 50% of her chances from the field.

Bridie Kean bounced back from a disappointing opening night to lead all scorers with 26 and more importantly did it at a percentage of 57%. Belinda Dinga chimed in with 11 points of her own which included a monster three to keep the Comets in touch late in the fourth.

 

Game 5: Be Active Western Stars v Stacks Goudkamp Bears

The Bears have unfortunately pushed their record to 1-2 after dropping their second game in a row on day two of the WNWBL’s first round. The Stars played with an air of confidence and intensity that took the Bears by surprise and seemed to score almost at will and were never really challenged, taking the game 73-56 in an offensive showcase.

Amber Merritt lit it up finishing with 29 points while Amanda Nott played easily her best games since joining the WNWBL contributing 20 points and 10 rebounds. Both Amanda and Amber both have Clare Nott to thank for the big numbers they were able to post. Nott dished out 10 assists to go along with her 8 points and even more incredibly now has 22 points for the season, shooting at an incredible 79%.

For the Bears; Amimoto and O’Kelly Kennedy combined for 43 points but it was at the defensive end that they just had no answers. Look for the Bears to put in a big defence effort today in their all Sydney match up with the Sydney Uni Flames at 1pm.

 

Game 6: Sydney Uni Flames v Victoria

With both teams backing up for their second games of the day, you could expect the pace of the game to slow, but there were no signs of fatigue as Victoria chalked up their second win of the season  to remain undefeated in season 2013.

The Flames kept touch with the reigning premiers, keeping the margin to single figures until mid-way through the third quarter. Sarah Stewart continued to be the Flames main avenue to the hoop with 21 points and brought her team mates into the game also chalking up six assists.

For Victoria it was the big three that did all the damage on the scoreboard; Cobi Crispin (23), Leanne Del Toso (20) and Shelley Chaplin (14). There were encouraging signs from first year able bodied player Alice Hammond who earned all 16 minutes of her time on court with four points, eight rebounds and a pair of assists in the win.

The shooting percentage of the Flames will have to improve. The 65-43 score line was not really indicative of how tight this game actually was. Victoria was simply able to capitalise on more of their opportunities.

 

Game 7: Be Active Western Stars v Minecraft Comets

The final game of a long day of basketball saw the Be Active Western Stars take the points from the Minecraft Comets 66-41.

The Stars had no answers for Bridie Kean early who scored 21 of her team’s 25 first half points. Kean finished the game with 30 and more importantly for her and for the Comets is that she seems to have left a disappointing opening game behind her. Belinda Dinga proved that her three ball against the Flames was no fluke, sinking another shot from long range to go two from two from behind the arc for the day.

For the Stars, Amber Merritt put on an absolute basketball clinic, scoring 37 points in just 33 minutes of game time. Amber’s season tally now sits at a total of 94 points from three games, scoring at an average of 31.3 points per game. Georgia Inglis also played her best game for the round scoring 10 points and also picking up six rebounds and a trifecta of steals.

Only two teams remain undefeated as we move into the final day of round 1. Victoria and the Stars will clash at 11:00am today as they both try to become the first blemish on their opponents records.