Week Two WSBL Wrap
Brooke Hiddlestone played a major part in inflicting the Hawks with its first loss for the season after it lost only three during the regular season last year, finishing with 18 points and 16 rebounds.
The Redbacks extended a one point quarter-time lead to ten at the half, an advantage it held onto for the rest of the match due to its stellar defence and superior shooting.
Tegan Walker had 21 points and nine boards for the Hawks, who shot a woeful 27.6 percent from the field as a team.
However, Perth couldn’t match those same standards the next night, losing 47-52 to Mandurah Magic.
The Magic trailed by 12 at half-time but took advantage of 18 Redbacks turnovers in the second half to take an upset win.
Casey Mihovilovich was at her best for Mandurah with 23 points, six steals and six assists, while Hiddlestone impressed for Perth once more with 19 points and 22 boards.
Rockingham Flames beat Lakeside Lightning 61-54 due to a dominant first half performance.
The Flames led by 17 at quarter time and 22 at the main break, before holding off a late comeback from the Lightning to hold on.
Kaye Tucker was outstanding for Rockingham with 16 points and 11 boards while Courtney Byrnes (16 points) and Jessica Van Schie (12 points, nine steals) were amongst Lakeside’s best.
Lakeside made amends the next night however with a 69-43 win over Carpet Court Southwest Slammers.
Van Schie had 23 points and 8 boards while Maree Ansey scored 16 for the Lightning, while Kate Fielding was Southwest’s best with 12 points.
Metropolis Fremantle Cockburn Cougars caused an upset of sorts with a 58-50 victory over AND1 Kalamunda Eastern Suns.
Ella Buckley had 14 points and Emma Pass 13 for the Cougars, who led throughout, while Melissa Moyle finished with 15 points and 12 boards for Kalamunda.
Lyndal Gardner’s 21 points saw Perry Lakes make light work of Cockburn on Saturday night, however, in a 78-63 win.
The Hawks took advantage of 22 Cockburn turnovers to win despite a disappointing shooting effort, which saw it make just 35 percent of its field goal attempts.
Pass was among Cockburn’s best once more with 16 points and 12 rebounds.
Australian Central East Perth Eagles defeated Stirling Senators 63-46 on Friday night on the back of an impressive first quarter.
The Eagles led by 11 after the first quarter and were never challenged from that point.
Ashley Gilmore had 18 points and Kelsey Maffin 14 for East Perth, while Emma Fielding had 13 for the Senators.
East Perth were no match for Rockingham on Saturday night though, falling 58-89.
Rockingham’s strong defensive effort ensured the Eagles hit only one of its 15 three-point shots, which contrasted strongly with Rockingham’s 16 from 35 effort from beyond the arc.
Gail Eikhoudt had 24 for the Flames, including four three-pointers. Maffin finished with 16 and Gilmore 13 for the Eagles.
Article by Jacob Kagi
Photo by Mick Cronin
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