WNBL
Standings
 |
|
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Canberra Capitals won WNBL
Championship 2006 |
NBL Stats
Leaders
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Points
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1. Smith (Lynx)
21.7
2. Hibbert (Boo.) 18.2
3. Whittle (Capitals) 17.0
4. Hamilton (Rang.) 16.9
5. Snell (Flames) 16.1 |
|
Rebounds
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1. Grima (Boomers) 9.1
2. Whittle (Capitals) 9.0
3. Crouse (Fire) 9.0
4. Cox (Fire) 9.0
5. Summerton (Fel.) 9.0
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Assists
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1. Phillips (Fellas) 4.9
2. McInerny (Rang.) 4.0
3. Snell (Flames) 3.9
4. Screen (Fellas) 3.6
5. Hibbert (Boomers) 3.6
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Blocks
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1. Tomlinson (AIS) 2.7
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Steals
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1. Bevilaqua (Cap.) 2.4
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Both men and women Australia
teams won gold at Commonwealth
Games '06 in Melbourne |
|
Canberra Capitals 2005-06 |
|
Graf |
Bevilaqua |
Jackson |
Whittle |
Abrams |
Sharp |
WNBL:
Canberra is the new WNBL Champion!
The Canberra Capitals are
the 2005/06 WNBL Champions after their 68-55 point win over the
Dandenong Rangers in front of a sell out crowd at the Dandenong
Basketball Stadium. Canberra's win ended the Rangers quest to win three
straight titles, and brought the championship back to the nation's
capital for the first time since 2003/04 when the Capitals went back to
back.
Dandenong Rangers -
Canberra Capitals: 55-68
The first quarter was as you would expect a tight affair in front of a
roaring capacity crowd, with a quite a number of opposition supporters
making the trip from Canberra. The Capitals jumped out to a 5-0 start
with their starting five consisting of captain Elanor Sharp in her last
game, Jenny Whittle, Lauren Jackson, Tully Bevilaqua and Kelli Abrams.
The Rangers started with Jacinta Hamilton, Emily McInerney, Emma
Randall, Carly Wilson and Sam Richards. Jacinta Hamilton matched up on
Lauren Jackson early in a bit of a surprise in a low scoring 1st
quarter. The defences were on top, with both teams shooting below 50%
from the field. Match up for match up, this was a hard physical contest.
The 2nd quarter saw the Capitals open the floodgates, outscoring
Dandenong 21-9, with Jackson the difference with Thirteen points, It
forced Gary Fox to make the switch mid way through the quarter, placing
Emily McInerney on her. Canberra's six point lead 20-14 stretched to a
ten point lead 27-17, to eleven points 34-23 and by the end of the end
of the quarter the margin was 14 points, and maybe game over in a very
defensive contest. It was going to be a monumental effort for the
Rangers to climb off the floor to capture their 3rd straight title.
There must have been some strong words of motivation by Gary Fox at half
time, because the Rangers tempo lifted, knowing this was the time they
had to make their mark. With a parochial home crowd behind them,
Dandenong went on a 11-2 scoring spree to bring the margin back to
39-34, but it was the Capitals who were able to steady the ship in the
last five minutes to lead 46-38 going into the last quarter of the
season, despite Lauren Jackson being kept scoreless for the quarter. The
final quarter saw the Rangers make another charge, with regular three
point shooter
Caitlin Ryan (187-G-81) stepping up with 10 points, but the margin
was to much to ware down. The Capitals held their noses in front as they
had all day with Jackson, Whittle and Abrams able to score important
baskets and seal the win.
After a very disappointing 2004/05, this result is a great reward for
Canberra, who before Christmas didn't have the regular services of
Jackson due to injury. The star Opal claimed her 5th WNBL crown and was
named MVP for the finals series. For the Rangers they have been the
yardstick the last two years. They had a chance to join the record books
with a three peat, but the power, talls and class of the Capitals gave
them the edge.
Dandenong Rangers: 55
Caitlin Ryan 17pts 7/13FG 2ast 24min
Carly Wilson 17pts 7/14FG 2ast 33min
Samantha Richards 8pts 4/10FG 4rbs 26min
Emma Randall 5pts 2/8FG 3rbs 19min
Jacinta Hamilton 4pts 2/7FG 11rbs 2bs 33min
Kathleen Macleod 2pts 1/3FG 20min
Alison Downie 2pts 1/4FG 9min
Emily McInerny 0pts 0/3FG 4rbs 31min
Jenna O'Hea 0pts 0/2FG 1rbs 4min
Jessica Bibby DNP
Canberra Capitals: 68
Lauren Jackson 24pts 11/18FG 11rbs 2bs 34min
Kellie Abrams 14pts 6/14FG 5rbs 5ast 39min
Jenny Whittle 12pts 5/11FG 9rbs 36min
Eleanor Sharp 11pts 5/9FG 6ast 37min
Tully Bevilaqua 4pts 2/5FG 5rbs 6ast 37min
Angela Marino 3pts 1/1FG 5min
Tracey Beatty 0pts 0/1FG 5rbs 11min
Natalie Hurst 0pts 1min
Nerrida Cooper DNP
Kylie Gwyther DNP
2005-2006
Season Awards
MVP:
Katrina Hibbert (180-G/F-77, college:
LSU) Bulleen
All-WNBL First Team:
Deanna Smith (180-G/F-81) Perth
Jacinta Hamilton (187-F/C-82) Dandenong
Erin Phillips (173-G-85) Adelaide
Jenny Whittle (197-C-73) Canberra
Katrina Hibbert (180-G/F-77, college:
LSU) Bullee
Rookie of the Year:
Abby Bishop (189-C-88) AIS
Defensive Player of the Year:
Emily McInerny (184-F-78) Dandenong Rangers
Coach of the Year:
Gary Fox Dandenong Rangers
