Elyse Penaluna, pictured playing against the Chargers, bagged 20 points and 14 rebounds in the Rangers’ three-point win over Knox.
By Jarrod Potter
WITH hearts heavy from the passing of Dandenong basketball official Charles Ryan prior to their match on Saturday, the Dandenong Rangers booked themselves a grand final berth with a 71-68 win over the Knox Raiders.
In a see-sawing affair, the Rangers and Raiders traded the lead.
The Raiders led a high-scoring first quarter 28-26, before the Rangers started to chip away, to outscore Knox in the remaining three quarters and take a two-point victory.
Elyse Penaluna starred with 20 points and 14 rebounds, with Amelia Todhunter taking 14 points and Steph Cumming 13 points and seven rebounds.
Clare Papavs played an exceptional full-court game, with 11 points, nine defensive rebounds and six assists.
Rangers coach Larissa Anderson said just facing up for the match, let alone winning it, was extremely difficult because of Ryan’s death.
“It was an amazing game,” Anderson said.
“Very proud of the girls for getting over the line in what was a very tough game to play, given what had just happened to Charles Ryan that morning.
“Charles has been really close to our group and it was only a few weeks ago he was doing whole sessions with the girls.
“For him to disappear so quickly has really made an impact on the group.
“I didn’t know even if the girls were going to get up for it as they really felt it.
“Turning up to the game you could see we were all red-eyed and puffy-eyed and a little flatter than normal.
“We wore black armbands and everyone got themselves up and before the game there was a minute’s silence, so everyone lost it again.
“Concentration levels were probably up and down – we’d call a time out and call a play and it wasn’t always executed – so given all of that, the girls need to be hugely congratulated.”
Anderson highlighted the efforts of Penaluna, but said there were good contributions across the board, especially considering the duress the team was under.
“Elyse was really solid,” Anderson said.
“Every time she got the ball, there wasn’t anything Knox could do about it as she’s so much bigger than everybody and she’s such a quality player.
“Clare Papavs and Amelia Todhunter really came through in clutch, as did Hope Terdich.
“Steph Cumming, considering how hard she was hit by this, came up with some great minutes and great plays as well.”
The Rangers will face either the Raiders or the Kilsyth Cobras in the grand final, at Dandenong at 1pm on Saturday 17 September.
“It is really exciting that we get to go for back-to-back (titles) at home,” Anderson said. “Whichever team we face Saturday week will be tough.
“Whoever wins this week will be a challenge for us, but I’m thinking it could be Knox, which would be another amazing game.”
