WNBL Round 2 Preview

WNBL Round 2 Preview

from: basketball.net.au

WNBL: Round 2 Preview

In Round 2 of the Women’s National Basketball League things are already heating up with reigning champion the Canberra Capitals chasing their first win and early title favourite Sydney Uni Flames already with a loss to its name.

You can follow the WNBL action on www.wnbl.com.au and with LIVE STATS, on WNBL Radio, and on ABC TV.

Friday October 9

BDS Logan Thunder v Canberra TransACT Capitals, 7.30pm* at Logan Metro

The trip to Logan can be a dangerous prospect for any team. In 2008/09 the new franchise came within two points of upsetting eventual champion Canberra.

In their three meetings Canberra’s only convincing win came in the capital, but in Logan the Capitals won the first encounter by two points, 67-53, and the second by four, 77-73.

While Canberra will be sore coming off a loss to the Bulleen Boomers, 88-73, on Saturday, Logan routed the AIS 79-42.

Bulleen’s tall timbre troubled Canberra but that will be less of a problem with the Thunder line-up. Logan’s Polish import Marta Dydek impressed in her first outing in the league last week with 17 points but grabbed only one rebound and at 195cm is the tallest in the team.

This game will be broadcast with live audio commentary on WNBL Radio.

HEAD-TO-HEAD: Canberra 3 – 0 Logan

Saturday October 10

Adelaide Link Lightning v Bendigo Bank Spirit, 12.30pm at Distinctive Homes Dome, Adelaide ABC TV GAME OF THE WEEK – will be broadcast live on ABC1 from 1.00pm AEDT

Adelaide will be confident after downing Sydney Uni 86-73 on Sunday. Lightning was in sparkling form, led by new captain Jessica Foley.

Bendigo also started 2009/10 season on a high with a 70-55 win over the Dandenong Rangers. Beijing Olympian Kristi Harrower joined the Spirit only a day before taking the court and still managed 23 points; after a week of settling back into Australia she will be even more dangerous.

Bendigo will be keen to get on top in this game after Adelaide ousted them in the Preliminary Final last season.

HEAD-TO-HEAD: Adelaide 6 – 0 Bendigo

ACUVUE Sydney Uni Flames v Dandenong Jayco Rangers, 7.00pm at ACUVUE Sports Hall, Sydney University Sports and Aquatic Centre

Touted as the team to watch Sydney Uni will be keen to get a win on the board in their first home game of the season after splitting their Perth-Adelaide road trip.

With a very different starting five to 2008/09 the Flames will be hard to beat once they gel with two-time Olympian Suzy Batkovic-Brown, who missed the opening game but posted 29 points against Lightning in her first game in the WNBL since 2002.

The Rangers were defeated by Bendigo in the season opener 70-55 and will be hoping to get more out of American import Ashley Lindsey who went 0-of-7 from the field but grabbed four rebounds in 13 minutes of play. Australian-born Great Britain representative Megan Moody turned in a team high effort in her WNBL debut with 18 points and seven rebounds but she will need more support.

HEAD-TO-HEAD: Sydney Uni 26 - 18 Dandenong

Townsville McCafe Fire v Canberra TransACT Capitals, 7.30pm at New Projects Australia Stadium, Townsville

A revelation last season, Amy Lewis led the scoring last week but Townsville’s strength lies in its depth with all players, with one exception, scoring in double figures last week.

Without 2008/09 All-Star Five member Abby Bishop, Canberra has lost some depth in the post that was exposed against Bulleen but with last year’s leading defensive rebounder Jennifer Crouse retired, Townsville will give Opal Marianna Tolo and veteran Tracey Beatty the chance for big games.

HEAD-TO-HEAD: Canberra 19 – 5 Townsville

Global Metals Bulleen Boomers v Australian Institute of Sport, 7.30pm at The Veneto Club

A large graduating contingent at the AIS has left the students in a tough position.

Former Townsville Fire guard Jillian Haughton led the Institute in their two opening games but the young team did not challenge Logan or Townsville.

Bulleen’s inside pairing of Opals Elyse Penaluna and Liz Cambage will create trouble for any team and the addition of Jenna O’Hea, fresh from a European season, and the emergence of Hanna Zavecz will give opposition teams plenty to worry about.

This game will be broadcast with live audio commentary on WNBL Radio.

HEAD-TO-HEAD: Bulleen 34 – 26 AIS

Sunday October 11

Go for 2 & 5 Perth Lynx v Bendigo Bank Spirit, 1.00pm at Perry Lakes Stadium, Perth

Bendigo will be coming off a tough game against Adelaide Lightning with less than 24 hours to recover and make the trip to Perth.

The Lynx lost game-winner Deanna Smith to Sydney Uni but import Takia Starks showed some good signs with 15 points and five rebounds against the Flames while fellow American Danielle Campbell added 14 points. Victorian Ashley Gilmore continued her fine form from 2008/09 with a double (10 points, 13 rebounds).

Bendigo also lost a player to Sydney Uni, Deanne Butler, but the return of Kristi Harrower and recent signing of Marita Payne gives the Spirit some fire power.

HEAD-TO-HEAD: Bendigo 4 – 2 Perth