Rangers sign Opals ace

By Paul Pickering
DANDENONG has landed the first big fish in its WNBL recruiting campaign, signing Australian Opals squad member Abby Bishop this week.
Bishop, who averaged 13 points and eight rebounds per game with the championship-winning Canberra Capitals last season, looks set to become the cornerstone of a rebuilding side under the guidance of new coach Mark Wright in 2010/11.
The Rangers spruiked Wright’s record for recruiting emerging stars – he brought Penny Taylor and Emily McInerny to Dandenong in his first stint as coach – when they announced his return to Stud Road in February, and he didn’t take long to deliver.
Twenty-one-year-old Bishop, a former WNBL rookie of the year, was a key member of the Opals outfit that toured China and Europe last year.
At 191cm, she will give the young Rangers a legitimate post presence next season.
Wright was delighted to announce her signing this week.
“Abby is a great player and her leadership skills will provide a boost to our group,” he said.
“To be able to recruit such a young player who shows such maturity on and off the court will certainly help our group going forward.”
Bishop, who was part of a formidable Caps frontline that included Lauren Jackson and Marianna Tolo last season, said she was keen to take on more responsibility at Dandenong.
“I’m looking forward to working with new coach Mark Wright and being part of the leadership group at a club that is rebuilding,” she said.
The Rangers, who identified Bishop as a key target in their post-season review, also hinted this week that there will more signing announcements in coming months.
Meanwhile, Dandenong’s SEABL men will be looking to claim their first win of the season when they host local rival Knox at Stud Road from 8pm tonight (Thursday).