TOM HAYES
BASKETBALL
WNBL By TOM HAYES ONCE again, the Traralgon Regional Indoor Sports Stadium was put through its paces with more basketball action. This time the WNBL had arrived, welcoming top-of-the-ladder Deakin Melbourne Boomers to face the bottom-of-the-ladder University of Canberra Capitals. Coming off its first win of the season, the Capitals were full of confidence, but the ladies had to be at their best to give the Boomers a run for their money. On the Capitals roster is Traralgon local, Jade Melbourne, who captained the side. With only two losses to its name all season, the Boomers were electric, and were there to prove why they deserve to be league leaders. The first quarter was one-way traffic, as the Boomers almost doubled the score of the Capitals, going into the second quarter up by 14 points; 29-15. More was needed from the Capitals in the second quarter, to not only get themselves back into the game, but to avoid a blow-out, like they have previously experienced. And that was what they did, the Capitals then outscored the Boomers in the second quarter, to drag the margin back to eight points. The Capitals made the most of turnovers, making sure to score at their end, while the Boomers suffered a lapse in concentration. That lapse in concentration was justified in the third term, as the Boomers flicked the switch once again and wiped the floor with the Capitals. Another onslaught saw the Boomers outscore the Capitals by 12 points to restore a 20-point lead, with just a quarter to play. A low-scoring final quarter allowed the Boomers to take the win with ease, coming out of Gippsland eventual winners, 78 to 57. Boomers captain Cayla George led from the front, scoring 37 points at 56 per cent accuracy, nearly half of the Boomers’ entire score, along with 17 rebounds. She was complimented by her side, as the box score was evenly distributed between the remaining teammates. As for Melbourne, it wasn’t quite the homecoming she was set out for, but still left Gippsland with a decent individual turn-out; seven points, 10 rebounds and four assists. Her Capitals still remain on the bottom of the ladder, with just one win next to their name, however did well to maintain the league leaders to just 78 points. As for the Boomers, they hold a two-game lead to the second-placed Southside Flyers, who recently suffered its fourth loss of the campaign. ELSEWHERE, Basketball Australia has announced the extended Opals squad, which comprises 12 Victorians filling the 26 available positions, including Melbourne, in preparation for the 2023 Asia Cup and the 2024 Paris Olympics. Australia retained its number three global ranking, following a successful FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in September, 2022, finishing third overall. The Opals camp will be held at the AIS National Training Centre from Friday, March 31 to Wednesday, April 5.
