By JARROD POTTER
MOST of the roster had already left the court.
There wasn’t much to sit around for at Dandenong after all, as the Rangers capitulated at home last Saturday after a late-game run by Sydney Uni finished off their WNBL season.
While some players were off for treatment and cool-downs, others went to the stands to talk to family and fans… but one player remained on the bench.
Her head cradled in a towel, eyes transfixed on a non-existent point in the stadium, her mind racing a mile-a-minute as she wondered where else she could have pushed harder.
That Ranger was Cappie Pondexter.
The 32-year-old WNBA champion and Olympic gold medallist – from Oceanside, California – took a lot of the pressure on her shoulders in the dying stages of the WNBL semi-final.
After a flying start – taking an 18-point lead at one stage over the Flames – the Rangers succumbed to the better finishing Sydney Uni. It would spell the end of Dandenong’s season and for Pondexter, at least in the short-term, her current affiliation with the Rangers.
While she has shown signs of fatigue this year playing for Dandenong, it was clear that Saturday was the first time this WNBL season Pondexter was completely spent.
The Rangers’ star import this year, after original signing Monica Wright damaged her knee, quickly became a fan-favourite on the back of a natural basketball style, which captivated the 1289-person strong crowd up to the final buzzer.
But it wasn’t enough on the weekend as she had nothing left to give – after rallying the team around her following Penny Taylor’s third term ankle injury.
The selflessness of a champion wondering if she could have squeezed out any more effort – after already leading the match with 27 points – is an instant sign of her professionalism.
“I wish I could have gave more,” Pondexter said.
“When Penny went down I felt the girls got a little discouraged – she’s a big part of our team and she has been all season.
“To see her go down like that, it kind of put everyone in a different mood, so I tried to encourage them by my effort on court.”
It’s clear to see why she rose so quickly through the WNBA ranks in stints for the Phoenix Mercury – where she would play alongside future WNBL team mate Taylor in a championship-winning team in 2009.
But before she heads back to the states to prepare for her 10th season and her upcoming 300th WNBA match, the Rangers’ fans made it well known that she was their champion, despite the outcome.
It would be hyperbole to suggest all of the fans present mobbed her for an autograph or a photo, but it probably wasn’t far short of that mark as she was completely engulfed by well-wishers wishing her luck.
Would she do it again, return to Australia and light up the WNBL once more?
In a word: absolutely!
“I enjoyed myself greatly – I think the league is tremendous,” Pondexter said.
“Very professional – the Australian girls battle really hard every single game and it’s made me better.
“I had great pleasure being here.
“Absolutely (would return to the WNBL) without hesitation – Australia the country itself is a very cool country – every city I’ve been too has been amazing and basketball here is good and I’ve enjoyed it.”
Dandenong coach Mark Wright was amazed by Pondexter’s resolve to keep the Rangers’ alive in the clash and hoped the American guard star would return next year alongside Taylor.
“I don’t know if you noticed, but Cappie was just trying to will that team across the line tonight (Saturday) – she was furiously trying to win that game,” Wright said.
“Players like that come to this league and play with their heart and give it everything they’ve got.”
Dandenong held its Awards Night on Tuesday, with Taylor earning the MVP and Janine Fielder Award, while Pondexter claimed the Member’s MVP.
Best Defensive Player was awarded to Annalise Pickrel while the Coaches Award went to Aimie Clydesdale.
