Dandenong Rangers coach Gary Fox was half a world away when his beloved team took on the rest of the world at the Club Championships in Russia. Picture: Mike Richards.Glen Atwell
WITHOUT their coach Gary Fox, Women’s National Basketball League team the Dandenong Rangers secured fifth spot at the World Club Championships in Russia this week after a 52-50 victory over Korean club team WKBL.
The Rangers finished with three wins and two losses, while Fox remained half a world away recovering from neck surgery in Melbourne.
The result was an astounding performance considering the side was playing the best club teams in the world.
After defeating the Chinese team in game one, the Rangers were beaten by the Brazilian and Russian sides before a win in their final match.
Assistant coach Ed Dunstan was the stand-in coach for the Rangers during the tournament.
Fox said he was still recuperating after his surgery, but would be back on the sidelines for Friday night’s clash against the Townsville Fire.
“The surgery went well,” he said.
“I’m still recovering but will be coaching on Friday night.”
The Rangers returned to Melbourne on Tuesday night after a long flight with multiple stopovers.
Injuries to key Rangers will have the Townsville side pumped to deal Dandenong its first defeat of the season.
Caitlin Ryan and Emma Randall missed the last two games of the tournament and Jenna O’Hea suffered foot soreness in the final match against WKBL Korea.
Fox said he was proud of his side’s effort in Russia and wasn’t too worried about injury problems.
“Once again the Rangers represented Australia with distinction, they were terrific,” he said.
“There are a few injury problems, but the team will come back, settle down and we’ll assess things before Friday’s game.”
The Rangers will have a light training run on Thursday night before the game against the Fire, which has two wins and two losses this season.
Fox said after returning from overseas last year the Rangers put on a stunning performance.
“They came out and beat Adelaide that weekend, so I’m not too sure how it will work,” he said.
Ryan was on song in Russia scoring a hoard of three pointers from her ‘comfort zone’, normally well beyond the three-point arc.
The Fire will find Ryan hard to stop if she is fit to play this weekend.
“Caitlin is a very smart player, and doesn’t get enough credit for her ability to bypass opponents when dribbling,” Fox said.
The game tips off at 7.30pm at the Dandenong Basketball Centre.
