Senators ink four

Stirling Senators have swooped quickly to maintain forward progress in the 2011 SBL season with news that Head Coach Vlad Alava will return at the helm along with star forward Michelle Joy, guards Sheraton Flood and Samantha Duff. In another boost for the Club, former WNBL Sydney University Flames guard Rachel Watman has also agreed to terms with the Warwick based outfit.

The 4 signings are the best indicator yet of the Cub’s intentions to build on a 2010 season where performance, attitude and effort have shown definitive improvement.

Joy returns to the group after a stand-out first year in the SBL competition where she displayed skills both inside and outside that made her a difficult match up for opposition teams. Joy averaged 18ppg and 10rpg to lead her Stirling team in scoring and rebounds.

Flood and Duff return in 2011 after injury and study interrupted their season. Despite missing 6 games through the year, Flood led her team in assists delivering just under 5 per game on average. Duff played in only 7 games before study and work commitments took its toll early in the season.

Coach Vlad Alava was pleased with the retention of the 3 with a view to the future.

“All 3 girls are key pieces in the puzzle moving forward. Michelle and Sheraton showed what they can do in the SBL in their first year of playing and getting Sammy back settled with life outside of basketball can only enhance her performance- she’ll be like a new signing altogether after playing only a third of the year.”

But perhaps the most intriguing signing of all is that of WNBL guard Rachel Watman. The former Sydney Uni Flame becomes the third NSW player to venture west and sign to play in the SBL.

A former Australian Gems player and NCAA Division 1 standout at Oral Roberts University, the combo guard is currently playing in the NSW ABA competition with the Sutherland Sharks, averaging 14ppg, 6rpg and just under 4 assists per game.

“Rachel is another I feel can really do something special in SBL. She’s a performer at both ends of the court and just has no limit to her determination. One of the most dedicated athletes you’ll come across.”

Alava said it was a tribute to the girls and the loyalty factor that they have sorted their playing futures out so early with the SBL just in finals mode.

“Make no mistake, the reason these girls have elected to play at Stirling is because they believe they will get better as players and at the end of the day we will work towards those goals. There is always a lot of talk about player movement but I’m just glad that in Michelle, Sheraton, Sammy and Rachel signing we can give build on a solid foundation.”

The Senators coach also intimated that discussions with the current group are on-going and he hopes to confirm more returning athletes soon.

Article by Stirling Senators
Photo by Travis Hayto (Outerbounds Photography)

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