By ROY WARD
THREE years, three SEABL women’s championships and one unique piece of history.
Dandenong Rangers women became the first South East Australian Basketball League side to win three straight women’s championships with a 65-48 win over Knox Raiders at the State Basketball Centre, Wantirna South on Saturday.
With teams tied at 26 at half-time, the Rangers stepped it up in the third term, getting out to a 12-point lead at three-quarter time, then extending their lead to 17 at the final buzzer.
Rangers coach Larissa Anderson said her side was deserving of its place in league history. “It’s absolutely phenomenal to keep a team as good as Knox to just 48 points, just like we did last week against Geelong,” she said.
“They just played god-damned hard defence and I’m so proud of them. It was a team effort and that is what this team is and why they are so deserving of their place in history. That is exactly what I said at half-time — “you are the best, now go and make it official.”
Amelia Todhunter led the Rangers with 15 points while Steph Cumming added 12 of her 14 points in the second half. Alison Downie, Faith Probst, Hope Terdich and Clare Papavs all played key defensive roles.
Anderson, who is 30 weeks pregnant and due to have her second child in November, said she expected the Rangers would be a much changed team next season.
She said she had yet to decide if she would coach in the team in 2013. “Right now I’m just going to enjoy this one. I can’t enjoy it the way I’d like to, though,” she joked. “Then I will step back and figure out what I will do. The baby is due in November, just at the start of pre-season, so it will make it tough, but I haven’t decided yet.”
Anderson said the expected break-up of the team left her emotional both before and during the final. “I’m 30 weeks pregnant and very emotional. I tried to gee the girls up last week and burst into tears. I controlled myself today although I don’t know how I would have made it if this was a night game.”
The Rangers coach did express regret at not playing her bench players more in the second half but didn’t want to “flirt with the form” of her starting group.
Cumming was named in the SEABL women’s team of the season at the league awards on Saturday night.
For more grand final pictures ssee Multimedia tab at bottom of this site’s front page.
For all the latest breaking news, visit greaterdandenongweekly.com.au. Also, follow the Weekly at facebook.com/greaterdandenongweekly or on Twitter @DandenongWeekly.
For all the latest breaking news, visit greaterdandenongweekly.com.au. Also, follow the Weekly at facebook.com/greaterdandenongweekly or on Twitter @DandenongWeekly.
For all the latest breaking news, visit greaterdandenongweekly.com.au. Also, follow the Weekly at facebook.com/greaterdandenongweekly or on Twitter @DandenongWeekly.
