Preview Round 2 of season 2017 which will be held at the Auburn Basketball Centre in NSW this weekend.

Friday 5^th May -

Red Dust Lady Heelers v Minecraft Qld Comets @ 6pm

After enjoying the bye in Round 1, this will be the first game of the season for the Comets as they come up against the newest team in the league in Red Dust.

The Heelers won one game in the opening round, defeating Kilsyth, and improved as the weekend wore on. If they can continue that rise, finals could certainly be on the cards but they will need to record wins against the Comets to make it. Queensland won just three games in 2016 and have lost their top four scorers from last season which puts a lot of pressure on the likes of Ella Sabljak.

Sydney Uni Flames v Kilsyth Cobras @ 8pm

The Flames were arguably the most impressive team in Round 1, finishing with a 3-1 record as Sarah Stewart earned Player of the Week courtesy of two triple-doubles and another double-double.

They owned the most efficient offence with 61 points per contest that included a 46-point thrashing of the Cobras who are winless after three games. Leanne Del Toso impressed with a double-double in their last meeting but she will need help to counter Stewart as well as Annabelle Lindsay and Brodie Palmer who combined for 37 points and 22 boards in that match.

Saturday 6^th May -

Sydney Metro Blues v Red Dust Lady Heelers @ 12pm

The Heelers hit the court for the second time in Round 2 against the Blues who will be more rested after not playing since April 23.

These sides look relatively well matched after their first meeting in Round 1, a game which Sydney Metro won by 17 points courtesy of four players in double-figures and Bridie Kean’s 11 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. A similar spread of scorers will make it very difficult for the Heelers on Saturday afternoon while the inclusion of Cobi Crispin who did not play in Round 1, will further strengthen the Blues’ chances.

Sydney Uni Flames v Minecraft Qld Comets @ 2pm

The Comets will be truly tested in their second game of the weekend as they come up against the Flames who only need two wins from four games this round to move clear on top of the ladder thanks to the Stars’ bye.

With a majority of their list having returned from last season, that cohesion could be telling for Sydney Uni against a Comets side that will be looking towards the likes of Sabljak and Georgia Bishop-Cash.

Sydney Metro Blues v Kilsyth Cobras @ 4pm

This is the second game of the round for both clubs but the Blues will be backing up just four hours after their initial game while Kilsyth will have rested overnight.

That rest could be alleviated somewhat as Sydney Metro play in front of a home crowd all weekend but Kilsyth will be confident after the home side only averaged around 50 points per contest a fortnight ago. The Cobras will need to be better defensively than they were in Round 1 but the door does look ajar for their maiden win if they cannot get past the Flames the night before.

Sydney Uni Flames v Red Dust Lady Heelers @ 6pm

Rebounding was a concern for the Heelers in Round 1 and it proved their downfall when they came up against the Flames as Lindsay and Stewart combined for 34 points and 33 rebounds while 18 total offensive boards gave Sydney Uni 25 more shot attempts.

The Heelers must be able to curtail their influence on the glass if they are to turn around their last result and if Georgia Inglis can improve her shooting after hitting just 2-13 in their previous meeting, Red Dust could be in with a chance.

 

Sunday 7^th May -
 

Kilsyth Cobras v Minecraft Qld Comets @ 9am

The Comets play their final game of the weekend against Kilsyth in a battle between the two teams that may be fighting it out for the fourth and final playoff position at the end of the season.

This will be an important first clash between the clubs in that regard and the Comets will be looking to exploit Kilsyth’s bench which was lacking in Round 1. The experience of players like Del Toso will be crucial during winnable games such as these for the Cobras.

Sydney Uni Flames v Sydney Metro Blues @ 11am

The last game for both these teams comes in the form of an inter-state clash in front of home fans at the Auburn Basketball Centre.

Sydney Metro will be seeking revenge after falling to the Flames a fortnight ago although after a 9-21 opening term, they only lost the game by 14 points. Georgia Munro-Cook top-scored in the meeting with 22 points but Sydney Uni were benefited by three players hitting double-figures and that offensive spread could once again prove the difference.

Red Dust Lady Heelers v Kilsyth Cobras @ 1pm

A busy fixture for Kilsyth culminates on Sunday afternoon as they play their second game in the space of four hours but it will also be Red Dust’s fourth game of the weekend which may even the contest.

The good news for the Heelers is that as Round 1 progressed, their performances improved which included a win against the Cobras. In that game, Kilsyth just could not find their way to the rim, scoring only 19 points to three-quarter time while Deanna Smith caught fire for Red Dust.