Lightning causes early shocks (Round One WSBL Wrap)
Lakeside Lightning were the biggest surprise of round one of the women's State Basketball League season, winning both their games including the prized scalp of 2011 runner-up East Perth.
The Lightning lost crucial players Heidi McNeill and Jess van Schie over the off-season and were without free-scoring youngster Courtney Bayliss, but still stunned the Eagles in a 63-54 result after beating Rockingham Flames 84-77.
The Eagles were weakened by the absence of star forward Samantha Norwood, who is resting for the opening few rounds of the season on the back of her WNBL commitments and fell short thanks to Emily Fielding's 15 points.
Fielding also starred with 24 points in Lakeside's win over Rockingham, which lost despite the long-awaited return of 2010 MVP Kaye Tucker.
Tucker had 23 points and six rebounds in her comeback from long-term injury but couldn't lift last year's wooden spooners to victory.
Perth Redbacks enjoyed a strong start to their season with a 56-49 triumph over Kalamunda Eastern Suns followed by a 74-63 overtime win against Cockburn Cougars.
Veteran centre Marita Payne had 16 points against the Suns and 23 against Cockburn to lead her side, which missed the playoffs in 2011, to the two victories.
The Cougars also suffered a 80-62 loss to Wanneroo Wolves on Sunday, with new import Stephanie Jones' 51 points and 32 rebounds across the two games not enough to earn Cockburn a win.
Wanneroo was less convincing in its 67-61 victory over Kalamunda but still got the win thanks to new recruit Nikita Martin's 26 points.
Defending champions Willetton Tigers showed no ill-effects from the off-season departures of WNBL trio Kate Malpass, Zoe Harper and Ebony Antonio in a 103-65 thrashing of Stirling Senators.
Captain Melissa Marsh had a game-high 26 points and West Coast Waves teammate Jasmine Hooper scored 25 in new coach Brad Spicer's first game in charge of Willetton, while Lauren Jeffers led a young Stirling side with 15 points and four assists.
Perry Lakes Hawks beat fellow 2011 finalists Mandurah Magic on the back of Chelsey Boyanich's 17 points.
Tarsha Fletcher also scored 17 for the Magic.
Article by Jacob Kagi
Photo by Helen Theoharakis (Hoop Shots)
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