By JARROD POTTER
SEABL – ROUND 12
WITH a bigger arsenal than many smaller nations, Dandenong showed it has the firepower up-and-down the roster to get the job done against anyone.
The Rangers steamrolled Albury-Wodonga 110-61 – launching four quarters above 25 points in an all-round starring effort from an injury and absence ravaged roster.
Rangers’ coach Larissa Anderson left the point duties to Bree Whatman (8 points) and Rachel Antoniadou (8 points) and the youthful front court excelled. The tandem brought powerhouses Jacinta Kennedy (33 points), Clare Papavs (30 points) and another youthful star Chloe Bibby (15 points) plenty of possession as the only thing holding back a 100-point win was the mercy of the Dandenong rotation.
“It was a great team effort again – it’s a big adjustment for us each week with players in and out and it makes a huge difference to any team not to have your main point guards in,” Anderson said.
“I’m super proud of Bree Whatman and Rachel Antoniadou, who are always just ready to slide in – even Amanda Hobba and youngster Navjada George – they all chipped in.
“Was great to be able to play everyone and rotate and doing all that from the front defensively.”
Andersons’ Rangers will host Launceston in a rematch of last week’s nail biting 69-77 defeat.
Dandenong’s men however couldn’t keep the party rolling on Friday evening, downed 90-98 in an overtime thriller against SEABL heavyweight Mt Gambier.
A monster third term – led by Daequon Montreal (32 points, 10 rebounds) and Andrew Harms (21 points) – pushed the Rangers ahead, but Mt Gambier clawed back to force overtime and storm past to maintain home-court supremacy.
Matthew Owies (18 points) had his best outing in the Rangers’ colours so far. Dandenong sits third in the SEABL East and will face North West Tasmania at home on Saturday.
BIG V – DIVISION 2
KEYSBOROUGH marched past Collingwood 82-63 to all but clinch third spot – or better – in the race towards the BIG V finals.
Highlighting why coach of the month honours went to Cougars’ mainstay Nathan Vogt, Keysborough launched out of the blocks to take a 44-26 lead at the half on the back of some monster plays from Malcolm Heard (34 points, 9 rebounds). Collingwood had nothing in its arsenal to stop Heard while the fun continued for the Cougars via Steven Haddrell (17 points) and Adam Sliwinski (12 points).
Keysborough face Mornington on Sunday from 1pm.
The Cougars’ women were gallant throughout the first half against Casey, but couldn’t match the Cavaliers down the stretch in a 51-76 loss. Billie Lucas (16 points, 10 rebounds) notched her sixth double-double for the year – and fourth in as many weeks – while Ashleigh Wright (12 points, 5 rebounds) also stood tall in defeat.
Keysborough heads to Chelsea this weekend.
