By BRAD McGRATH
SARAH Slater is not one for bells and whistles, on the court or off it.
The budding Dandenong Rangers star was recently selected in the Victorian under-20 team to contest the national championships in February.
Slater, 17, is regarded as one of the brightest young talents at the WNBL outfit, with the young forward given court time with the Jayco Rangers during the preseason.
“I guess it is nice to be rewarded for all your hard work,” she said. “I really wanted to make the team and that was what I did the work for.”
Dandenong Rangers marketing, communications and development manager Paul Flynn paints Slater in a positive light.
He believes Slater has the ability to play a significant role for the Rangers over the coming seasons.
“She is a versatile forward, she is hard to guard and very unpredictable with what she does on the floor,” he said.
“She’ll outwork her opponents and the one thing you know you will get from Sarah is effort.
“She suited up in the preseason and got on court and has been on the bench during the actual season.”
Since finishing at Beaconhills College in Pakenham last year, Slater is planning on combining her basketball commitments with studying osteopathy.
She said the chance to train with the Rangers’ WNBL squad had been invaluable.
Slater will be joined in the Victorian squad by fellow Ranger Ellen Kett, who is from Niddrie.
Three other Rangers have been named emergencies.
Narre Warren South product Tenaya Phillips, Berwick’s Olivia Luttrell and Essendon’s Geraldine McCorkell are all on standby for the tournament, which will run from February 17-23.
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