Tops recruits secured

By Paul Pickering
The Rangers last week secured the signatures of highly-regarded Australian Institute of Sport graduates Nicole Hunt and Katie Ebzery.
Hunt, 19, is the reigning WNBL Rookie of the Year, having averaged 10.2 points, 4.1 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game last year. Similarly, Ebzery, 18, has been touted as one of the most exciting young talents in the league.
In her final season at the AIS, Ebzery averaged 7.1 points, 1.9 assists and two rebounds per game, while shooting an impressive 91 per cent from the free-throw line.
Both emerging guards were members of the Australian Gems squad for the U19 World Championships last year.
Rangers coach Dale Waters expects the signings to be important pieces in Dandenong’s championship puzzle.
“Nicole is one of the most exciting point guards the AIS have produced in recent years,” he said. “She plays with a sense of maturity and game smarts well beyond her years. And securing Katie certainly enhances our scoring potency from the perimeter. Katie is a good fit for our group and will add another dimension to our team.”
Waters was also buoyed by the re-signing of Rangers stalwarts Caitlin Ryan and Emily McInerny.
Meanwhile, McInerny and Rangers teammate Michelle Brogan are currently vying for selection in the national squad for the Beijing Olympics.
The pair is among the Opals squad currently competing in the Good Luck Beijing warm-up tournament in the Chinese capital.