Suns @ Lightning Preview
The Suns went on the road against the Senators and got off to their best start of the year leading by 16pts in the first half before taking a 10pt lead into the locker room at half time. In the second half Stirling sat in a zone and the Suns couldn’t force them out of it with a number of perimeter looks not going down. In the end it was former Sun Justin Eckhardt who played a game winning cameo netting 20pts (8-11fg) in just 18mins of play to help his side take a 98-91 win.
For the Suns Justin Brown led with 26pts @ 73%, Majstrovich on his return had 23pts & 17rebs while Austin Bruton chipped in with 17pts including four treys.
This week see’s the grudge match of the season as a number of faces have spent time in both camps and with six successive losses beware the wounded Sun as they are hungry to claim a victory on their home floor.
The defending champions come to town and despite the tipsters writing them off during the pre-season Andy Stewart has his team sitting right back at the top with new import Beran (25.3ppg & 8.3rpg) complimenting second year returnee Payne (22.7ppg). The Australian contingent of the competitions best rebounder in Prue (13.4ppg & 19.1rpg), veteran Butler and the Sofoulis brothers are all familiar with the system and haven’t missed a beat despite some key departures.
Women - Current Standings - Suns (2-4) tenth, Lightning (2-4) ninth
The Suns Women were welcome returnees to the winners list claiming an impressive 69-46 win over Stirling despite missing four members who were at the U/18 Nationals in NSW. The game saw all 12 members see action and it was fantastic to see rookie Natalie Soliai register her first basket in the SBL with a three pointer in the last quarter.
Melissa Moyle had 24pts @ 69% while Carli Boyanich dominated the paint with 18pts & 7rebs.
The Lightning have many familiar faces back in 2010 with their guard rotation being where the damage has come this season as Jess VanShie (12.8ppg, 5.0rpg & 3.0apg), Maree Ansey (11.2ppg, 5.0rpg & 4.5apg) and the two Courtney’s; Bayliss and Byrnes are both capable of 20 points on any given night.
Article by Ryan Rogers (AND1 Kalamunda Eastern Suns)
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