Fletcher proud despite devastating loss
Australian Central East Perth Eagles coach Anthony Fletcher has praised his side’s fighting qualities following their heartbreaking 72-71 women’s State Basketball League grand final loss at the WA Basketball Centre on Friday night.
The Eagles looked to have snatched a remarkable win with Samantha Norwood’s layup with 53 seconds on the clock, but a costly turnover followed by an impressive jump shot from MVP Kate Malpass sealed a historic third consecutive WSBL championship.
But Fletcher said it had been a fantastic effort from his side and it was unlucky to go down.
“We can walk away with our heads held high despite going down (in the grand-final),” he said.
“We have put East Perth on the map as a club, and the girls have been excellent all season.
“All 14 girls have given it their all and that’s the fantastic thing about it there’s been no dramas all season.”
Fletcher admitted a poor second quarter let his charges down, when they were outscored 27-16.
“You can’t fault anyone (for their efforts) and you can’t just look at the last few seconds of the game, he said.
“We won three out of four quarters.
“It was probably the second quarter that lost it for us in the end.”
The Eagles’ coach conceded WIlleton’s defensive efforts on West Coast Waves centre Sam Norwood were outstanding in the second half where she only managed six points.
“I think they (Willetton) played an awesome defensive job,” he said.
“But Sam’s efforts have been outstanding all season.” Norwood led the way for the Eagles, joint top-scoring with 24 points and six rebounds – with Nicole De St Jorre (14 points) all reaching double figures.
Malpass earned the MVP award in her sixth grand final with a solid all round performance, the 176cm guard scored 24-points and six steals, well supported by Waves’ teammates Melissa Marsh (19 points) and Jasmine Hooper (12).
Article by Jordan McArdle at the WA Basketball Centre
Photos by Helen Theoharakis (Hoop Shots) and Mick Cronin
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