DANDENONG Rangers will undergo a “mini preseason” over the next two weeks after opening their South East Australian Basketball League women’s season with a win over Albury-Wodonga on Saturday night.
The Rangers beat the Bandits 64-47 at Lauren Jackson Sports Centre with rookie coach Paul Flynn getting his first win at SEABL senior level after moving up from the Rangers D League team.
Amelia Todhunter and Aimie Clydesdale led the Rangers with 14 points each. Clare Papavs showed she didn’t have any problems after returning from injury with 10 points, 14 rebounds and six assists.
Now the Rangers have the next two weeks off the court as they have a bye in round 2 followed by the Easter break. Their next match will be against Geelong at Dandenong Stadium on April 6.
Flynn said his side did well to progressively improve their defence as the game went on.
“Throughout the game our defensive intensity started to lift and we forced Albury into turnovers. Once we settled into the game we did well, especially since we haven’t had a full group on the training court at any one time during preseason.”
The Rangers travelled to Albury without Lauren Scherf and Tenaya Phillips, who spent the week in Canberra at an Australian Gems camp.
“We debated about whether we should drive them from Canberra to Albury but on the back of the Gems camp we decided it wasn’t in their best interest to play. To me it seemed like all that could happen was they could get an injury, so we let them stay home.”
Flynn said the Rangers would get to work in the next two weeks and take advantage of having a full team to train with.
“It will always take some time to come together. That is why this early game was great for us as we could get some game time into our players. Now we’ll have a mini preseason.”—Roy Ward
The Rangers women have a bye this weekend.
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