By JARROD POTTER
MOST of the roster had already left the court.
There wasn’t much to sit around for at Dandenong after all, as the Rangers capitulated at home on Saturday after a late-game run by Sydney Uni finished off their WNBL season.
While some players were off for treatment and cool-downs, others went to the stands to talk to family and fans, one player remained on the bench.
Her head cradled in a towel, eyes transfixed on a non-existent point in the stadium, her mind racing a mile-a-minute as she wondered where else she could have pushed harder.
What ways she could have got her team-mates into the game.
How she could have done more.
That Ranger was Cappie Pondexter.
The 32-year-old WNBA champion and Olympic gold medallist – from Oceanside, California – took a lot of the pressure on her shoulders in the dying stages of the WNBL semi-final.
After a flying start – taking an 18-point lead at one stage over the Flames – the Rangers succumbed to the better finishing Sydney Uni.
Without their Australian Opals champion Penny Taylor, who fell to the floor in agony after injuring her ankle soon after half-time, the Rangers could not hold on against the rampaging visitors.
Sydney Uni would shoot five three-pointers in the final term to sneak away with the 89-80 win despite the best efforts of Pondexter and the Dandenong squad.
It would spell the end of Dandenong’s season and for Pondexter, at least in the short-term, her current affiliation with the Rangers.
“When Penny went down I felt the girls got a little discouraged – she’s a big part of our team and she has been all season.
To see her go down like that, it kind of put everyone in a different mood, so I tried to encourage them by my effort on court.”
– Cappie Pondexter
While she has shown signs of fatigue this year playing for Dandenong, it was clear that Saturday was the first time this WNBL season Pondexter was completely spent.
The Rangers’ star import this year, after original signing Monica Wright withdrew after hurting her knee, quickly became a fan-favourite on the back of a natural basketball style, which captivated the crowds all season – especially the 1289-person strong audience on Saturday.
Style is the only way to describe the fluency with which she would jump out of bounds to fling assists to three-point specialists Alice Kunek and Taylor.
Style is the best concept to show her beguiling footwork as Pondexter drove past countless defenders en route to 391 points in her inaugural WNBL season.
Style can only describe her tenacity on defence as she out-rebounded players many inches taller than her or as she chopped out to help double-team any threat like Townsville’s two towers Suzy Batkovic and Cayla Francis, or Canberra’s mighty centre Abby Bishop.
On the weekend she had nothing left to give – after rallying the team around her following Taylor’s third term ankle injury.
The selflessness of the champion wondering if she could have squeezed any more effort – after already leading the match with 27 points – is an instant sign of her professionalism.
“I wish I could have gave more,” Pondexter said. “When Penny went down I felt the girls got a little discouraged – she’s a big part of our team and she has been all season.
“To see her go down like that, it kind of put everyone in a different mood, so I tried to encourage them by my effort on court.”
Pondexter attacks the basket against Townsville in the last week of the regular season. 134612 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS
It’s clear to see why she rose so quickly through the WNBA ranks in stints for the Phoenix Mercury – where she would play alongside future WNBL team mate Taylor in a championship winning team in 2009 – before flying cross-country to play for New York Liberty and her latest destination in a jet-setting basketball life … the Chicago Sky.
But before she heads back to the states to prepare for her 10th season and her upcoming 300th WNBA match, the Rangers’ fans let it well known that she was their champion, despite the outcome.
It would be hyperbole to suggest all of the fans present mobbed her for an autograph or a photo, but it probably wasn’t far short of that mark as she was completely engulfed by well-wishers wishing her luck and for her return to the Australian leagues.
Would she do it again? Return to Australia and light up the WNBL again, donning the illustrious number 23? Continue the recent trend of America’s big basketball names signing on to play Down Under?
In a word: absolutely.
“I enjoyed myself greatly – I think the league is tremendous,” Pondexter said. “Very professional – the Australian girls battle really hard every single game and it’s made me better.
“I had great pleasure being here.
“Absolutely (would return to the WNBL) without hesitation – Australia the country itself is a very cool country – every city I’ve been to has been amazing and basketball here is good and I’ve enjoyed it.”
Coach Mark Wright said the likes of Pondexter and Penny Taylor were indescribably beneficial for the league and women’s basketball in Australia. 131242 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS
Dandenong coach Mark Wright was amazed by Pondexter’s resolve to keep the Rangers’ alive in the clash and hoped the American guard star, as well as Taylor, would return next year to the Rangers’ roster .
“I don’t know if you noticed, but Cappie just trying to will that team across the line tonight (Saturday) – she was furiously trying to win that game,” Wright said.
“Players like that come to this league and play with their heart and give it everything they’ve got.
“I think there’s a possibility that both of them (Taylor and Pondexter) could come back – they’re certainly not off the table and when I’ve spoken to them, neither have said no.
“We’ll certainly be doing all we can to bring them back, they’re not just great for Dandenong, but they’re great for the league.
“There’s nothing prima donna about Cappie Pondexter and Penny Taylor – actually here purely to help and make this team better and all this year they’ve done that.
“You get a lot more for your buck than just a player who can shoot – when you bring out the full package like those two players are, you glean a lot more from them and I’m hoping we can convince both, or at least one to come back, so I’ll do my best.”
Dandenong held its awards night on Tuesday, with Taylor earning the MVP and Janine Fielder Award, while Pondexter claimed the Member’s MVP.
Best Defensive Player was awarded to Annalise Pickrel while the coaches award went to Aimie Clydesdale.
