Rangers win two from three

By Glen Atwell
AFTER Dandenong’s torrid start to the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) season, in the words of famous rocker Meatloaf, two out of three ain’t bad.
The Rangers have found some winning form and are now back in play-off contention for the 2006-07 season.
The team scored a 78-70 overtime win against local rival Bulleen in the first game of the Michele Timms’ Cup last Wednesday night, 1 November, a 71-68 loss against Adelaide on Saturday and a 68-64 victory in Perth on Sunday.
The Rangers’ newfound winning ways sees them outside the top four of the WNBL ladder by only a game. But the turnaround is far from complete.
Dandenong is still missing prized point guards Samantha Richards and Kathleen McLeod, although new recruit Jodie Datson is working hard to fill the gap. Add Shelley Hammonds back into the mix and Dandenong should win more games than it loses.
On Saturday, only two last-gasp three-pointers from Adelaide recruit Lauren King denied Dandenong victory.
The Rangers led at half-time and worked as hard as they could, according to coach Gary Fox.
“We came into a very hard game,” he said. “Adelaide, along with Sydney, are the most talented teams in the league and our girls just fought their butts off. I’m very proud of the heart and character that we showed as a group.
“Unfortunately we made some mistakes, we missed some lay-ups and when we have to fight so hard to stay in the game we can’t afford to do things like that,” Fox said.
On Sunday, Dandenong notched up an all-important win on the road against the Perth Lynx. With ex-Dandenong captain Carly Wilson looking sharp in the Lynx colours, the Rangers had a point to prove and it was Caitlin Ryan who led the way. Ryan scored 23 points and kept the Rangers in the game whenever the Lynx pressed. Jenna O’Hea again impressed netting 17 points, while Larissa Cavanagh continued to improve, scoring 12.
Fox said he was glad to get through the three matches with a couple of wins.
“Three games in five days is tough and to come away with two of three wins is a bonus,” he said.
The Rangers now enjoy a week-long break before hosting the Townsville Fire at Dandenong Basketball Stadium on Monday.