Australiabasket.com All-Australian WARATAH Awards 2020 - Oct 27, 2020
Grand Final MVP: Emily Simons (178-G/F-94) of Norths Bears Player of the Year: Carly Boag (188-F-95) of Hornsby S. Defensive Player of the Year: Kate Seebohm (170-G-91) of Norths Bears Coach of the Year: Tim Hill of Manly Warr. SE
Australiabasket.com All-Australian WARATAH 1st Team 2020
Worth to mention a great performance of forward Mikaela Ruef (190-90, college: Stanford) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 27 points, 25 rebounds and 5 assists. Mikhaela Cann contributed with 13 points and 8 assists for the winners. Five Thunder players scored in double figures. New Zealand forward Kalani Purcell (188-95, college: BYU) answered with a triple-double by scoring 22 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists and Madelyn Willey added 16 points and 6 assists in the effort for Brisbane Spartans. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Top scorers: Logan T.: M.Ruef 27+25reb+5ast, C.Cassie 18+2reb+2ast, C.Mikhaela 13+2reb+8ast, A.Taia 11+6reb+3ast, C.Paalvast 10+1reb+1ast, B.Danielle 4+1reb SD Spartans: K.Purcell 22+17reb+10ast, M.Willey 16+3reb+6ast, H.Smith 10+1reb, R.Haynes 6+4reb+2ast, N.Taylor 4+6reb, K.Currie 2+3reb+1ast
North Bears have been crowned Waratah champions. They prevailed against Central Coast Crusaders in the championship game tonight. The game was mostly controlled by North Bears. Crusaders managed to win fourth quarter 27-18. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Swingman Emily Simons (178-94, college: Pacific) fired 18 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Forward Isabelle Morgan (181-93) chipped in 17 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. American power forward Rachel Maenpaa (185-84, college: Indiana St.) produced 13 points and 9 rebounds and guard Jasmine Forcadilla (173-97, college: St.Mary's, CA) added 14 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for lost side. Five North Bears and four Crusaders players scored in double figures. Crusaders' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Top scorers: Norths Bears: E.Simons 18+8reb+3ast, I.Morgan 17+6reb+4ast, S.Schicher 12+10reb+2ast, R.Garlepp 11+2reb+1ast, A.Curtin 10+5reb+1ast, K.Seebohm 5+1reb+6ast Cent.Coast C.: J.Forcadilla 14+7reb+4ast, R.Maenpaa 13+9reb+3ast, J.Wittwer 12+6reb+1ast, M.Sara 11+7reb, E.Matthews 9+1reb+1ast, D.Rowe 8+2reb+2ast
West Coast Classic: Joondalup Wolves star Kayla Steindl dominates to down Perry Lakes Hawks - Sep 26, 2020
Joondalup Wolves' capped off a fantastic season with a 72-54 win in the West Coast Classic grand final against Perry Lakes Hawks at the Bendat Basketball Centre tonight. Former Perth Lynx star Kayla Steindl (187-F-89, college: Gonzaga) was the star, scoring 13 points to go with 12 rebounds in a best-on-court performance. The Wolves had lost just one game heading into the clash and they were too good in the grand final for the Hawks, who struggled to score against Joondalup's intense defence. It was a horrible start for the Hawks, who conceded the first nine points as Nes'eya Williams (187-G/F-01) (11 points, four steals and two blocks) got straight into her work. Perry Lakes were their own worst enemies, hitting just three of their 16 shots in the first quarter as the Wolves' defence forced them to go right until the final seconds of the shot clock. By quarter time Joondalup led by seven points and the Hawks were under immense pressure. Perry Lakes' Morgan Ballantyne (eight points) and Nikita-Lee Martin (184-G/F-88) (four points, six rebounds and five assists) combining for eight of their 12 points for the second term to keep them within touch, but they were still playing catch-up. Joondalup continued to push their lead out, with the Wolves finding plenty of room under the basket to get the easy points early in the second half. The Hawks were heavily reliant on Natalie Burton (194-C/F-89, college: WVU) (14 points, seven rebounds), who was playing a lone hand at both ends, but she ended up in foul trouble in the third term. This forced her to the bench and another Perry Lakes player could not stand up to fill the void. As the final buzzer got closer, the Wolves' confidence grew and they hunter right until the end, not allowing Perry Lakes any easy shots. In the end, the Wolves were too strong and claimed the West Coast Classic, which was on in place of the regular State Basketball League season because of COVID-19. Courtesy of: thewest.com.au
