By ROY WARD
DANDENONG Rangers will take plenty from the WNBL preseason tournament despite fielding a very undermanned side.
The Rangers went 1-2 in matches against Canberra Capitals, Adelaide Lightning and Logan Thunder.
With Olympian Jenna O’Hea still to return along with Carley Mijovic, Rangers coach Mark Wright said the Rangers bench received extended minutes and his players got to see they still had far to go heading into the season proper.
Rangers import Krista Phillips arrived in Australia on the eve of the tournament and was kept largely on ice until she underwent more training.
Rangers development players Aimee Clydesdale, Rosie Fadjovic, Breanna Whatman, Shannon Perrett and Rebecca Mercer all got extended minutes during the competition. ‘‘Perrett is one who has showed she has something to offer now and in the future,’’ Wright said. ‘‘She contacted us in preseason and said she was in town and wanted to train.
‘‘She has turned into a pleasant surprise. She has a real engine and is just 19 years old so she has some work to do but she is someone we want to hang onto.’’
Wright said the only downer of the tournament was a rolled ankle to guard Steph Cumming, who is expected to be fully fit for the club’s opening game on October 5.
The WNBL tournament was won by Bendigo Spirit, which beat Bulleen Boomers 61-59 in the final, while Perth Wildcats won the NBL tournament beating Wollongong Hawks.
See our Dandenong Rangers WNBL preview in the Weekly next edition.
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