Suns make it six straight; big wins for Lightning (Week 16 Women's SBL Wrap)

THE Kalamunda Eastern Suns stretched their winning run to six in Week 16 women's SBL action while Kari Pickens starred in two wins for the Lakeside Lightning as they remained in second position in the standings.

The weekend began with the three women's matches on Friday featuring two big wins for the Lakeside Lightning and Cockburn Cougars, and the Joondalup Wolves prevailing in a thriller.

Lakeside Lightning crushed the Perry Lakes Hawks 95-52 at Lakeside Recreation Centre, the Soprano Lady Cougars downed the Collie Crane Hire South West Slammers 89-70 at Wally Hagan Stadium and the Joondalup Wolves just defeated the Stirling Senators 83-81 at Warwick Leisure Centre.

There were five crucial women's matches on Saturday night highlighted by the Kalamunda Eastern Suns continuing to win, the Willetton Tigers keeping their playoff hopes alive and the Rockingham Flames bouncing back emphatically from their first loss of the season last Friday night.

The big winners were the Lakeside Lightning and Stirling Senators, though, as they remain in second and fourth position respectively following wins over the Joondalup Wolves and Mandurah Magic.

Saturday night saw the Kalamunda Eastern Suns beat the Perth Redbacks 98-85 at Belmont Oasis, the Willetton Tigers thrash the Collie Crane Hire South West Slammers 76-48 at Eaton Recreation Centre and the Lakeside Lightning down the Joondalup Wolves 78-64 at Joondalup Basketball Stadium.

The Stirling Senators also recorded a crucial 84-74 victory over the Mandurah Magic at Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre and the Orange Autos Rockingham Flames had a big 100-74 win over the Schweigen East Perth Eagles.

The weekend's results leave the Orange Autos Rockingham Flames on top of the standings with an 18-1 record ahead of the Lakeside Lightning (15-3), Joondalup Wolves (12-5), Stirling Senators (11-6), Kalamunda Eastern Suns (12-7), Mandurah Magic (11-7), Soprano Lady Cougars (9-9) and Collie Crane Hire South West Slammers (7-12).

The Willetton Tigers sit just outside the top eight with a 6-11 record followed by the Perry Lakes Hawks (5-12), Schweigen East Perth Eagles (2-17) and Perth Redbacks (0-18).

There were again some outstanding individual performances across the weekend as well.

On Friday night, Kari Pickens led the way for the Lightning with 19 points, four rebounds and four assists with Krystal Stoneking adding 13 points, Courtney Byrnes 11, Tiahm Flynn 10 and Ashleigh Grant 10 to go with six rebounds, two steals and a blocked shot.

No Perry Lakes player managed double-figures in scoring with Megan McKay working hard for eight points and 10 rebounds with Rosie Tobin also contributing eight points and nine boards.

Emma Pass led the way for the Cougars with 21 points and eight rebounds on the back of shooting 10-of-17 from the field.

Marita Payne also had a terrific game with 19 points and 14 rebounds while shooting 9-of-14 from the floor with Sam Richards returning and contributing 19 points, nine assists, five boards and two steals on 6-of-11 shooting.

Amy Patton did all she possibly could for the Slammers finishing with 31 points, six rebounds and four steals on the back of shooting 11-of-17 from the field, 4-of-7 from long range and a perfect 5-of-5 from the free-throw line.

Catherine Waycott added 12 points, 11 rebounds and four assists for South West, and Lauren Jeffers 12 points, seven boards, six assists and five steals.

Ellyce Ironmonger top-scored for the Wolves finishing with 18 points and 10 rebounds while shooting 7-of-13 from the field.

Nikita-Lee Martin also added 13 points with Chelsea Burns scoring 12 points to go with nine rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Emma Berryman top-scored for the Senators with 23 points while hitting an impressive 5-of-6 from three-point territory.

Hannah Throns also contributed 21 points, four rebounds, three steals and two assists with Amber Land and Tegan Walker both adding 10 points apiece.

And on Saturday night, Alison Schwagmeyer was once again outstanding for the Eastern Suns with 22 points, eight rebounds, four steals and two assists while shooting 9-of-16 from the floor.

Jennie Rintala was also terrific for the Suns with 22 points and 10 boards with Adrienne Jones adding 16 points, five rebounds and five assists, and Jessie Edwards 16 points and 10 boards.

Gabby O'Sullivan worked hard for the Redbacks with 18 points and five rebounds with Jessica Jakens adding 15 points.

Ebony Antonio led the way for the Tigers with 20 points while shooting 9-of-17 from the floor with Melissa Marsh contributing 15 points, Desiree Kelly 10, Mikayla Pirini 10, Antonia Edmondson 10 and Lisa Wallbutton eight to go with 14 rebounds.

Lauren Jeffers worked hard for the Slammers with 17 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals with Amy Patton finishing with 11 points, 12 boards and three assists.

Kari Pickens again top-scored for the Lightning with 23 points, 10 rebounds and four assists on the back of shooting 9-of-18 from the field and 2-of-4 from three-point territory.

Courtney Byrnes also contributed 18 points and eight rebounds for Lakeside while Emily Fielding had 16 points, six boards and six steals, and Krystal Stoneking 16 points.

Amber Land led the way for the victorious Senators with 19 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists and three steals with Tegan Walker adding 17 points, Taylor Wild 16 and Emma Berryman 14.

Hailey Dunham was outstanding for the Magic with 25 points, seven rebounds and three assists with Casey Mihovilovich adding 14 points, five boards, three steals and two assists.

Briana Klasztorny added 12 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two blocks as well for Mandurah while Jorjah Smith scored 12 points.

Darcee Garbin continued her outstanding form for the Flames with another 24 points and six rebounds on the back of shooting 10-of-16 from the field.

Samantha Whitcomb was also terrific with 23 points, six boards, three steals and two assists with Kaye Tucker adding 14 points, Talisia Bourne 12 and Jacinta Bourne 11.

Brienna Nolan led the way for the Eagles with 17 points and six rebounds with Stephanie Jones adding 10 points and eight boards, and Haylee DeSousa 10 points.

FRIDAY WOMEN'S SBL MATCHES
Lakeside Lightning 95 defeated Perry Lakes Hawks 52
Soprano Lady Cougars 89 defeated Collie Crane Hire South West Slammers 70
Stirling Senators 81 lost to Joondalup Wolves 83

SATURDAY WOMEN'S SBL MATCHES
Perth Redbacks 65 lost to Kalamunda Eastern Suns 98
Collie Crane Hire South West Slammers 48 lost to Willetton Tigers 76
Joondalup Wolves 64 lost to Lakeside Lightning 78
Mandurah Magic 74 lost to Stirling Senators 84
Schweigen East Perth Eagles 74 lost to Orange Autos Rockingham Flames 100

Article by Chris Pike
Photo by June Halliday




Comments

Comment Guidelines: The SportsTG Network is made up of players, families and passionate sports followers like you who have a strong opinion about sport. That's great - we want you to have your say and share your thoughts with the world. However, we have a few rules that you must follow to keep it fun for all. Please don't be rude, abusive, swear or vilify others. Apart from some pretty serious sport sanctions, we also can ban you and report you if things get out of hand. So play fair and have fun, and thanks for your contribution.

Create A Team App Account.

Stack Team App is a platform that allows teams and social groups to improve communication by creating their own smartphone app.

Create A Team/Club