Rangers rough, but in reach

By Paul Pickering
WARREN Dawson has never accepted an honourable loss, but the veteran Rangers coach took some heart from his side’s season-opening defeat against Brisbane on Saturday night.
The Rangers were far from disgraced by the reigning SEABL East conference champions, going down 97-89 on the back of a late Spartans surge.
Returning import Vince Inglima scored a team-high 24 points on the night, while American debutant Luke Fitzgerald (17 points, seven rebounds) looked an imposing presence in his 24 minutes of action.
But it was Brisbane’s star trio of Adam Gibson (26 points), Greg Vanderjagt (24, 12 rebounds) and Ash Cannan (21, 14) – all with NBL experience – that stood up when required.
Dawson, who finalised his roster just over a fortnight ago, said his revamped Rangers outfit could take plenty from the first-up encounter. “It was definitely a game that we let slip,” he said.
“But it was a reasonable hit-out and the positive is that we know we can play a lot better.
“Brisbane have had the luxury of playing together for 12 months, so at crucial times they knew where they were going to get baskets from, whereas I think we were still feeling our way a little bit.”
Dawson was buoyed by the productivity of Fitzgerald, who joins a formidable frontline alongside swingman Inglima and star centre Brent Hobba (11).
“I think he’ll be a good foil for us,” Dawson said of the Cleveland native.
“We’re still learning to play with him and get the ball to him in the right areas, but he’s a real target inside.”
The Rangers can’t afford to waste any time in jelling as a group, with double-headers to follow on each of the next two weekends.
They will face reigning SEABL champions Frankston this Saturday night, before backing up against North-West Tasmania at Stud Road on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Dandenong’s SEABL women will begin their 2010 campaign against Launceston this Sunday under the guidance of new head coach Larissa Anderson.
Anderson, a decorated WNBL player who finished her career at Dandenong, will have a handy – if slightly undersized – roster at her disposal this winter.
The team will be bolstered by the introduction of Steph Cumming, Clare Papavs and Hope Terdich, joining WNBL team-mates Faith Probst and Amelia Todhunter in the SEABL side.
Megan Moody, Tess Meyer and Elyse Penaluna have moved on from last year’s group.