By JARROD POTTER
SEABL – ROUND 6
HOWEVER they assemble the roster, with players coming in and out from injury and unavailability, it doesn’t seem to affect the juggernaut that is Rangers’ women’s basketball, with the girls racing to a 88-64 win over Sandringham.
Without Amelia Todhunter and Rachael Antoniadou, the guard duties were left to Aimie Clydesdale.
Putting her hand up to coach Larissa Anderson – not just for the winter season, but potentially into the WNBL season as well – Clydesdale showed she’s a starting point ready to flourish whatever the standard.
She knocked down 32 points – with 3-6 from long-range – and stole the show from Sandringham’s experienced tandem Alice Kunek (16 points) and Brittany Smart (15).
In league with superstar centre Jacinta Kennedy (25 points, 10 rebounds) and another great all-round effort from Clare Papavs (7 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists) – the Rangers proved too powerful for the Sabres as the scoreboard continually lit up, even after Anderson started rotating the bench.
Chloe Bibby (8 points, 8 rebounds) and Najvade George (2 points) showed the teens are just as capable as their elder team mates as all Rangers excelled on home-court.
The staggering disparity in rebounds – 47-17 Dandenong’s way – showed Anderson her side was keen to attack and ready to fight ahead after half-time.
“It’s pretty good isn’t it – the rebounding for us is a huge thing as it means we’re hungry for the ball,” Anderson said.
“Kept them to 23 points in the second half, which was a really good effort as they’ve got some really potent offensive weapons on that team.
“I was much happier with the defensive effort in the second half and the boards reflect that.”
Even with injuries across the board – including Tenaya Phillips (3 points) leaving the game with a sore ribs and a suspected concussion after colliding in a rebounding contest – Anderson thought it was exceptional that the rest of her line-up is able to step in seamlessly and continue the good form.
To cap off the stellar night for Anderson’s Rangers, she reintroduced Amanda Hobba to the playing line-up.
That might not seem significant on the surface – only getting 77 seconds on court – but considering Hobba gave birth to her second child in late March, it was an amazing effort to get back into the Rangers’ roster.
“She’s just an immediate presence,” Anderson said.
“She’s Dandenong through and through and works so hard and is the loudest on the bench, first at training and just wants to get in there.
“She’s so team focused, it’s just nice to be able to get her back out there.”
Flying on top of the SEABL East Conference, with a 7-1 record, the Rangers head up the highway to Ballarat to face the Rush from 6pm on Saturday before hosting Hobart on Sunday afternoon.
The Rangers’ men didn’t fare as well down in Tasmania, as North West knocked off Dandenong 87-71. Chris Patton (26 points, 11 rebounds) led the Rangers along with Daequon Montreal (15 points).
