Some great games this weekend, ever so interesting!

Continuing on from last week's team analysis- here's the other half of the women’s team continuing on from last week.

Cockburn Cougars- Some big off season departures with three starters out the door in the Hargreaves sisters and Emma Pass will make this one an interesting season for the Cockburn girls. New coach Danny Nelson will be looking to continue on with the great work of former coach Fleur McIntyre who got the team to the finals last season. Import Jones seems to be the real deal with a dominant debut and a lot will be expected from Taryn Priestly who gets the responsibility of running this team for the season.

Eastern Suns- Another very young team who will be reliant on the improved play of the youngsters and Coach Mansfield pulling off a recruiting coup in the import slot. Mansfield is well connected and don't be surprised if he brings in an All Star 5 calibre import to help push his team on the way to the finals. The loss of Sophie Doyle, Melissa Moyle and Leah Rush will impact greatly on the offense end with the latter two combining for at least 40-50 points on a good night last year. If they pick up a quality import as they normally do, they will be finals bound again.

Sout Wwest Slammers- Any team will who can address the point guard and centre positions with WNBL players must be considered a genuine threat! Add on 2 imports and you just keep getting closer to the WSBL championship. This team will break the losing culture quickly by virtue of their recruitment alone. Bianca Donovan should be better after an off season with the Waves, while the only significant out is Shannon McRobert, last year's starting PG. Big improvers and if they don't get to the top of the tree it will be considered an underachievement. If they stay healthy and mesh together with the experience of new Coach Darren Austin, the once easy-beats tag will be no longer in 2012.

Stirling Senators- Lost a huge amount of talent starting with the loss of Michelle Joy and Rachel Watman along with Emma Berryman and Danika Pisconeri as well as Kelly Ellis who is due to have a baby. Sammy Duff has retired and Frances Clarke has gone home to Darwin. That is a virtual starting five and two rotations lost so Coach Vlad Alava will have it all to do with this group of youngsters. Looking at the box scores, there are a lot of unfamiliar names but they do have quality in Lauren Jeffers and former Hawk Lyndal Gardner. It may well be a longer year than what the coaching staff will want. Tough times ahead.

Mandurah Magic- The usual suspects will be there once again despite the loss of MVP Casey Milo. They will have the experience of Tarsha Fletcher and Shelley Boston and Rachel Halleen and Bri Klasztorny are entering that phase of veteran players- not so much in age but SBL experience. Head Coach Mark Utley will make sure that this team is in tip top shape to make a run for the title. Their consistent line up and familiarity together as a playing group is something built over the years and will be their biggest strength. The addition of noted defender Danika Psiconeri will add much added starch and toughness to this playing group. She is a welcome addition. Expect finals basketball.

Perry Lakes Hawks- The loss of Tanya Kelly will be huge but somewhat easier to take and offset by the development of Gabby Clayton as a PG over the WNBL year. A lot will be expected from Christine Boyd, Rosie Tobin and Tegan Walker- a high powered trio of players right there!!! Coach Rick Morcom also looks to be blooding the next generation with the likes of Kate Anthony, Sarah Donovan and Kate Duff all getting on the court with significant minutes. Any team coached by Mr Morcom is always well prepared and disciplined- expect nothing different. They'll be another team in the mix!

The league is going to be an interesting blend of experience and youth. Excitement tempered with frustration- but that is why we play the game! For the thrills of the ups and satisfaction of improvement!

Good luck girls!!!

The opinions, views and comments in this article are those of the individual and are not the opinions or views of the State Basketball League or Basketball WA.