The Australian Central Eagles Women won their first game for the 2009 State Basketball League season with a courageous on the road win against Southwest Slammers in Eaton on Saturday Night. Their first win comes after an improving effort on Friday Night against the sixth placed Perth Redbacks.

On Saturday the Australian Central Eagles travelled to Eaton to take on the Southwest Slammers with the Eagles Women keeping up with the Slammers in the first quarter on the back of some good defence. In the second quarter the Eagles continued to apply strong defence generating six steals and with an improved use of the ball in offense they led 38 to 31 at the half time break.

The third quarter was similar to the first with no team taking a real advantage and at the end of the third quarter the Eagles led 54 to 44. As expected in the final quarter the Slammers in front of their home crowd came back at the Eagles and with one minute left the Slammers took the lead.

Eagles' Captain Bindi Foote with 45 seconds remaining on the clock made a successful three point shot to put the Eagles back in the lead by 2 points. The Slammers tried to get back the lead but could not make their shots. With 13 seconds remaining Eagles' Kelsey Maffin was fouled resulting in two free throws. Kelsey missed her first but made the second to take the lead to 3 points. Slammers called a timeout to set up their next play. The Slammers set up the shot for Elizabeth Lennox but she could not make the shot. The rebound was made by Eagles' Bindi Foote who was fouled straight away by the Slammers to stop the clock at four seconds remaining. With the Slammers in team foul situation Bindi was awarded two free throws. After another timeout Bindi made her first free throw to take the lead to 4 points which was the winning margin.

An excellent performance from Eagles' Kelsey Maffin who led all scorers with 23 points and also led all rebounders with 19 rebounds. Kelsey was well supported by Elizabeth Zezan who scored 21 points, all from three point territory making 7 from 9.
 
Eagles Coach Anthony Fletcher was very happy with the win and in particular the improvement from all players over the weekend. With this improvement and the expected introduction of import Faye Muller, Coach Fletcher is looking for further wins. Faye is a forward out of University of Nevada, Las Vegas and was one of the top rebounders and shot blockers in her conference. Since college Faye has been playing internationally in Oradea, Romania and Munich, Germany and is looking forward to playing for the Eagles.

The next game for the Eagles Women is a home game at Morley Sport and Recreation Centre on Saturday 16 May 2009 at 6.00pm against eighth placed Lakeside Lightning.

Article by East Perth District Basketball Association