WABL Wrap Week 3 – 5/05/24
All of our “Player of the Game” superstars will receive a FREE PIZZA from our friends at Domino’s Kalamunda – Thanks Guys!
Players of the round:
Benwech Kuach (U14 Girls) – Once again, Benwech Kuach emerges as the undeniable star of the game, securing the parents votes for, “Player of the Game”. Benny’s performance was nothing short of extraordinary, nearly achieving a triple-double with an impressive stat line of 24 points, 11 rebounds, 8 steals, and 5 assists. Throughout the game, Benny’s presence was felt in every facet of play, demonstrating unparalleled defensive prowess and an ever-evolving offensive skill set. With each passing week, Benny’s decision-making on offense continues to sharpen, showcasing her dedication to continuous improvement. Congratulations, Benny, on a stellar performance yet again…
Lucas Cannell-Jimenez (U16 Boys) – The birthday boy Lucas gets the player of the round this week. His effort on the boards and in the low post were a standout and helped the team all day.
U12 Girls Black – Lawrence West (Sponsored by: KTrans)
Loss against Rockingham Flames (40 – 45)
Coaches notes
A slow start and early foul trouble allowed Rockingham to take advantage and push out to a 14 point lead heading into the half time break. After some lollies to refuel and an honest chat the girls took to the court with the mission of playing to our potential, and did they ever!
We turned the pressure up in the 3rd quarter and scored more than our first two quarters combined, while holding Rockingham to only 4 points! Heading into the 4th quarter we were down 5 and feeling pretty good.
We managed to push out to a small lead and found ourselves up by 2 points with 3 seconds left. We did a great job to contest the first shot attempt however Rockingham managed to grab a timely rebound and score on the buzzer, sending us into our first OT of the season.
We fought hard in the final period but ended up going down by 5. We were spent, and those early fouls came back to haunt us with 2 players fouled out.
Despite not coming away with the win this was an exciting game. Credit to our determined young ladies for resetting themselves at half time and showing what they are capable of.
This week we learnt the value of rebounding and it will be a focus for us moving forward. Our FG% is creeping up every week and our collective decision making is improving.
Player of the game
This week was a tough decision with contributions across the board. Some honourable mentions:
Zoe Keene delivered some excellent passes, leading our team in assists. Its great to see her court vision improving every week.
May Cooper stepped up when her team needed her and made some important baskets.
This week player of the round goes to Harper Dostal. Harper is a natural leader who provides calm when her team needs it. She can always be relied on to give 100%, and this week when her shots weren’t dropping, she kept her intensity up on the defensive end and lead the charge on our 3rd quarter comeback.
U12 Girls Orange – Lizzie Falconbridge
(Sponsored by: Clever Fox Marketing)
Loss against Perry Lakes Hawks (24 – 25)
U12 Girls White – Jemma Gartrell
Loss against East Perth Eagles (14 – 57)
Coaches notes
The key takeaways were that the girls were way more aggressive than they have been when driving to the hoop and we got to the free-throw line more times than we have the whole season! I also thought the girls did really well at not giving up as it was a tough game.
Player of the game
Winter as we all saw a new side to her game, she was driving to the hoop, getting rebounds and hustling down the court to find a player.
U12 Boys Black – Brad Dowd (Sponsored by: Fern Landscapes)
Won against Joondalup Wolves (71 – 42)
Coaches notes
After a tough first quarter, the boys managed to really step up in the 2nd to have a nice lead at half time. The 3rd quarter was a bit of a battle again, but a massive 25 v 9 in the 4th term gave us a comfortable win. We saw many moments of great team work in transition and our defense was consistent.
Alex played well again, making some great decisions. Hunter played well, with some strong rebounding and finishing well at the hoop. Darragh played his strongest game so far, getting involved in both defense and offence..
Player of the game
Henry wins player of the game, as he consistently works hard down both ends of the court.
U12 Boys Orange – Lizzie Falconbridge
(Sponsored by: Alliance Engineering Consultants Pty Ltd)
Won against Rockingham Flames (43 – 35)
Coaches notes
Our defense lead the way again, holding Flames to 2 first quarter points. The boys battled all game against a far bigger team and we held our own in the paint. We were down 1 starter and still managed to get a solid road win. Ashton & Jett were rock solid inside despite being undersized.
Player of the game
Preston Handgraaf had an offensive explosion. His 17 points kept us in front the entire game and his points were very timely. A reward for all the effort he puts into his game.
U12 Boys White – Ben Marks (Sponsored by: Joel Dixon)
Loss against Perry Lakes Hawks (55 – 60)
Coaches notes
The boys came into the game fresh off a Friday night training session focusing on defensive pressure and being engaged for the full four quarters. The boys started out firing, pressuring the ball well which resulted in a number of steals and forced turnovers, exactly what we wanted. It was great to see Declan see a few shots drop this week, adding to his confidence and giving the team energy. Zane, Ollie, Chase and Lucas B really gave their ball carriers a hard time and Lucas M was playing strong in the paint when it counted, getting to the line on a number of occasions.
It was another tight game throughout, until Perry Lakes pulled out to a double-digit lead with some dead-eye shooting in the third quarter and the start of the fourth. We needed to change things up and Austin, Brock, Josiah and Jax were inserted into the game and really stepped up, closing the gap to 5 points to close out the game after taking advantage of the Hawks foul trouble. Jax in particular really showed what he is capable of defensively in his first ever game of WABL.
The team is definitely tracking in the right direction, with a win no doubt just around the corner. The coaches are extremely proud of the teams efforts this week and we are definitely showing we belong in division 3.
Player of the game
Lucas Bickmore was his usual consistent self. He receives player of the game for his ability to shut down his matchup, anticipate the passing lanes and rebound from the guard position. With plenty of options this week it was hard to choose but Lucas does all the little things to contribute to team success.
U12 Boys Blue – Declan Kinsella
Loss against Hills Raiders (14 – 36)
Coaches notes
Despite a tough loss, the boys showcased grit and determination on the court. Their performance was nothing short of inspiring as they battled fiercely against their opponents, displaying impressive teamwork and determination throughout the game.
While the scoreboard may not have been in their favor this time, their resilience and skill were evident in every pass, dribble, and shot they executed.
Each player demonstrated commendable effort and passion for the game, leaving spectators in awe of their potential.
With continued dedication and development, this team undoubtedly has a bright future ahead in the world of basketball.
U14 Girls Black – Bruno Kongawoin
(Sponsored by: SupaFit Seat Covers Pty Ltd)
Won against Lakeside Lightning (55 – 48)
Coaches notes
Our team’s performance was nothing short of exceptional, leaving us immensely proud of our efforts. There’s a special satisfaction that comes from seeing our game plan meticulously executed, and this match was a shining example of that.
Our defensive approach, prioritising early ball stops and preventing middle drives, proved to be pivotal in securing another victory. As we continue to refine our skills throughout the season, this defensive focus will undoubtedly be the cornerstone of our success.
On the offensive end, our philosophy of free-flowing play perfectly complemented our relentless backcourt pressure, allowing us to create many quick scoring opportunities. Our ball movement side to side, afforded us many favourable one-on-one matchups for a drive to the basket with precision with our lay-up finishes.
We went into the break with a 2-point lead. Despite facing a determined Lakeside resurgence in the third quarter, fueled by intense ball pressure, we stood firm and weathered the storm. However, adversity struck with Chelsea Parker’s suffering of a massive bump to the knee. Our team demonstrated unwavering focus and determination to finish the game strong.
In the final quarter, we showcased our poise by maintaining ball possession and control to secure the victory. Looking ahead, we approach each game with a mindset of relentless pursuit of improvement.
Our upcoming matchup against the East Perth Eagles presents another tough challenge. We’re fully committed to rising to the occasion. In our preparations, we’ll focus on refining our defensive rebounding to ensure that we continue to raise the bar for our performance on the court.
Player of the game
Once again, Benwech Kuach emerges as the undeniable star of the game, securing the Parents votes for Player of the Game. Benny’s performance was nothing short of extraordinary, nearly achieving a triple-double with an impressive stat line of 24 points, 11 rebounds, 8 steals, and 5 assists. Throughout the game, Benny’s presence was felt in every facet of play, demonstrating unparalleled defensive prowess and an ever-evolving offensive skill set. With each passing week, Benny’s decision-making on offense continues to sharpen, showcasing her dedication to continuous improvement. Congratulations, Benny, on a stellar performance yet again…
U14 Girls Orange – Lawrence West (Sponsored by: Genesis Craft)
Won against Joondalup Wolves (44 – 40)
Coaches notes
This week we were connected. From the jump we played together, moved the ball well and made excellent decisions. By the half time break we had earned a small 8-point lead.
The 3rd quarter saw the Wolves go on a run to take the lead, hitting three 3-pointers in a row in just over a minute! In the past this would have rattled us, however today we kept our composure and stuck to our game plan.
Our spacing and ball movement was fantastic, which resulted in some great scoring opportunities that we capitalised on. While the Wolves pushed hard our offense was in a groove and our defense was locked in, punishing every hesitation or lazy pass.
The team highlight for me was our rebounding effort. Everyone went to work and we managed twice as many offensive rebounds as the Wolves. Its clear to me that the extra effort and resulting extra possessions made all the difference.
Player of the game
The trouble with such a team game is its really hard to highlight just one player, and many of our team made a good case to be player of the round.
While all players genuinely contributed to this one, some honourable mentions:
Bel Wood – Deflections, steals and generally causing havoc for the opposition are an everyday occurrence for Bel, however this week she added rebounding to her repertoire, bringing in 10 offensive rebounds along with 6 assists, 3 steals and shooting 50% from the line.
Dani Simmons – Dani was 100% hustle this week, she did all of the extra things that contribute to winning. She also managed 10 rebounds to go with her 4 assists and 4 steals. Its great to see her confidence grow each week.
Yasmin Rammal – Yas does so many things at a high level that it can be easy to take her contributions for granted. This week I challenged her to lead with her energy and she didn’t disappoint. She celebrated her teammates success and kept us all calm. While she didn’t have the best shooting game her passing was exceptional and she lead our team in assists.
So then onto our player of the round, Emily Sunderland. Emily was an imposing presence around the rim. Not only did she manage an impressive 6 blocks, but she also disrupted the Wolves half court offensive completely, forcing them to make out of rhythm passes that we were able to convert into points in transition. She is starting to trust in her abilities and it’s a joy to see.
U14 Girls White (Rick Anderson)
Loss against South West Slammers (26 – 46)
Coaches notes
This game was closer than the final score would indicate, with the Slammers only really pulling away in the last quarter. One of our focuses in training this week was press breaking and it was great to see the girls execute this, advancing the ball up the court more confidently. While not the game result we wanted, there were still plenty of positives as we continue learning how to play to each other’s strengths as a team.
Player of the game
Daphne worked tirelessly on both ends of the court all game, consistently making good decisions that helped her team. Great effort Daph!
U14 Girls Blue – Shannon Trew
(Sponsored by: Newtrend IT Specialists Pty Ltd)
Won against East Perth Eagles (37 – 19)
Coaches notes
Another great win for the girls today, and another huge step forward for their basketball development.
The girls started well on defense and put a lot of pressure on the ball and got plenty of rebounds, unfortunately we couldn’t score at the other end. Girls lead 6-2 at quarter time.
The next 2 quarters went 10-6 each to us as we continued to build and execute. Again we probably could have scored more but our shots didn’t drop.
4th quarter we won 11-5 through hard work and great team work, giving up good shots for great shots.
Bob (Eliza) and Sarah had around 30 rebounds combined.
Jenny and Eliza showed their experience and lead by example with the ball and their voices, helping their teammates with high energy and effort.
Player of the game
Sofia Wong has been the quiet achiever over the last 3 weeks, building on her confidence and increasing her energy and effort in offence and defense. Today she exploded on both ends of the court with multiple steals, defensive stops and great passes to open team mates in transition and kick outs on her drives. Sofia finished with a solid 6 points, but it was her effort when she didn’t have the ball which was exciting to watch. Keep working hard Sof.
U14 Boys Black – Adrian Mok (Sponsored by: SWISH Plan Management)
Loss against Rockingham Flames (50 – 78)
U14 Boys Orange – Patrick Massam (Sponsored by: Pacific Automation Pty Ltd)
Loss against Perth Redbacks (46- 67)
Coaches notes
The boys faced a challenging game. Their passing game faltered with numerous interceptions, and a sluggish start put them on the back foot. Despite their efforts and clawing it back to 7 points at one stage, they were unable to overcome these obstacles.
Player of the game
Player of the round was Ram for his exceptional work under the basket in both offence and defense.
U14 Boys White – Joel Warner
Won against Rockingham Flames (59 – 53)
Coaches notes
This week we played Rockingham Red in our second away game, which presented a number of challenges for us to overcome. Rockingham ran a very fast paced offence and were certainly the better team in offensive transition. I was pleased with the way we responded to manage the game tempo and force the things we could control, to work in our favour. The Suns White boys somehow more than doubled our opposition in fouls, so that’s an area we will work to improve on as the season progresses. With a high foul count and a fast transitioning opposition, we were often on the back-foot, but we battled through and found ways to score and defend when it mattered. The scoring spread was great (again) and we are building some reliable basketballers, who handle pressure well. Although not a clinical display of basketball, we were still effective and I am glad we had that experience, it will pay off at a later date.
Player of the game
This week we needed a gritty group to close out the game and to see this young man step up was excellent. We needed confidence and an ‘X-factor’ in the second half, and quite importantly we needed communication. We received that in several positions but as we closed the game out, we were left with Ethan to manage the ball. So with that, Ethan wins player of the game for his strong communication and positivity. As noted, several positions contributed, so special mention to Kade who played in three positions ands scored well, Billy for his clear communication and Phoenix for dragging down 14 rebounds and literally throwing himself at loose balls. Sam didn’t get the court time deserved, however kept spirits high from the bench. Overall, well led Ethan, and well done to the Suns White boys for sticking together.
U14 Boys Blue – Yi Gan (Sponsored by: Excess Power Equipment)
Loss against Warwick Senators (42 – 49)
Coaches notes
Having won 2 games, we faced our first real tough test against Warwick, in a game where we had the lead by 8 and the games tied through the 1st, 2nd and 3rd qrt intervals Warwick finished the game stronger and won by 7.
Our offense ran smoothly under Mark HC this game, but our defense is not up to the standard of what is expected. Thus in a game where we should have won, we ended up losing base on players forgetting who they are on and losing baseline cutters for numerous easy buckets.
The positives were finding out who the leaders on this team are as well as the resiliency of some of the players playing with injuries.
Massive shoutout to Noah for another great game on a recovering ankle, Isaac Falconbridge gave it his all with asthma, and Chandler & Christian giving it their best, not fully recovered from sickness and an ankle issue.
We also saw Adam Matthews really taking his chances seriously and going absolutely heart out in the paint with his body and length giving it his all, never wavering from his missed shots and understanding what is needed from him. Kobe again led with his defense from the moment he stepped on the court and understanding the game situation.
Atticus our quiet assassin, had his 2nd consecutive game of high division performance. It is by far evident now that he is well above class in this division and his understanding of finishing, passing, defending, and game IQ. He has it all, and what he makes up for in his size, is something that’s immeasurable, and that’s the stats that don’t show up on the stat sheet. He led from the start to finish and thoroughly deserved the Player of the game without a doubt. His ability to listen to Mark and execute what is asked of him and trusting his team mates, is starting to show.
I’ve always enjoyed a loss early in the season, and this timely loss is perfect. The positive of this loss is it’ll allow us to address the issues that we saw in game 1 and 2, and I’ll also be doing some paper homework for the boys to answer on Thursday, when it comes down to game situations.
Player of the game
Atticus Cleaver – Offense, defense, you name it. He played both ends and really led this team when we were short handed with injuries.
U16 Girls Black – Shannon Trew
Won against Perry Lakes Hawks (69 – 68)
Coaches notes
The girls had a very tough win against a very good Perry Lakes team, winning by 1 point (should have been 2 points).
Playing with only 7 players was always going to be tough and the girls got out to a 9 point lead at quarter time through defensive rebounds and fast transition.
2nd quarter was much the same as the 1st, lots of rebounds, transition offence and hard work in defense was outstanding.. We lead by 18 points at half time.
Unfortunately in the 3rd quarter fouls and fatigue started to take affect and the scores reflected it. 12 to 22 points to Perry Lakes reduced the lead to 8 at the break.
This continued in the 4th quarter and with 5 mins to go we were down by 5 points and only had 5 players available to play, plus we had 2 players on 4 fouls on the court. We called a timeout and everyone spent the timeout refocusing on the task ahead and the girls fired up and got around each other.
12 secs left to go and we were down by 1 point, another timeout to advance the ball and draw up a play. The play went to plan and Isla got the open shot we were looking for and sunk a huge 3 (2 pointer) to win us the game with 3 secs left.
Pene was outstanding again in offence with 27 points.
Kaia was a human wall, locking down the defense and getting us valuable transition points.
Asha had 11 points and worked hard on her rebounds and found lots of space from the corner.
George was cool and collected on the court and worked hard to get stops and setup Isla for the match winning shot.
Rachel had her best game for the Suns with 4 points, many stops in defense and a very important foul to help stop a run.
Charlie lead from the front in defense and worked hard all game to make scoring tough for Perry Lakes and ran hard for her team mates.
Player of the game
Isla-Rose Gray had another outstanding game in offence and defense, working hard to fire up her team mates. Isla was everywhere in defense, shutting down drives, closing holes, stopping any cutters coming through. Isla was unlucky to not get more points but she kept her head high and never gave up. Isla finished with 10 points and the match winning shot.
U16 Girls Orange – Andrew Herbert
Loss against Mandurah Magic (38 – 85)
Coaches notes
Another game where we had only 7 players due to injuries, we were able to get through without any of the ladies fouling out as we showed more discipline in the second half.
We struggled putting points on the board this week through the middle of the game despite solid scoring this week coming from Charlotte Herbert 15pts, Olivia Geary 9pts & Matilda Little 7pts. I was impressed that we continued to battle to the end winning the 4th quarter.
Player of the game
This weeks POTR goes to Olivia Geary. After early foul trouble Olivia was able to make enough adjustment’s to get through all 4 quarters. Olivia was a leader at both ends of the floor and is a positive role model for team mates showing positivity at all times to keep her team pushing though until the end. Keep going strong Olivia!
U16 Girls White – Daniel Heyman
Loss against Perry Lakes Hawks (24 – 88)
Coaches notes
We fought hard against the top team but struggled to keep pace, as they pulled away from us early. Rebounding wise, we’ve been able to match most teams, including the Hawks. Unfortunately, our efficiency and turnovers let us down.
We look forward to getting back to work at training this week, where we’ll work on being more decisive with the ball.
The efforts of our bigs deserve a special mention. Ella Michalczuk (8 rebounds, 5 blocks) and Sanne Grimme (9 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block) relentlessly guarded the house.
This week we travel to Victoria Park to take on the Perth Redbacks.
Player of the game
Shelby Lewis: Shelby led our team with 14 points on an efficient 50% from the field. She also led with a team high 9 rebounds, including 4 offensive boards. Shelby showed an evolution in her offensive game, using greater change of pace and control whilst still maintaining her aggression. Well done Shelby!
U16 Boys Black – Declan Kinsella
(Sponsored by: Angus Flexible Pipelines Australia Pty Ltd)
Loss against Rockingham Flames (60 – 103)
Coaches notes
In the face of a tough loss against Rockingham, the 16 boys found themselves overwhelmed in a one-sided affair. Despite entering the matchup with determination and grit, our efforts were ultimately deterred by a formidable Rockingham side.
The game unfolded as a stark reminder of the challenges we face and the areas where improvement is needed with our execution as a team.
While the loss stings deeply, it serves as a humbling experience, igniting a fire within the team to reflect, regroup, and redouble our efforts moving forward.
U16 Boys Orange – Hayden Bird
Won against Perry lakes Hawks (87 – 71)
Coaches notes
We have come far as a team already in a short time. Moving the ball around and focusing on a team formatted type game.
Player of the game
Cash Surin: Cash really put his all into Sundays game, striving to play more of a leadership type role, Cash really stepped up to the plate. Setting the tempo and intensity for the whole team to match. Great job Cash.
U16 Boys White – Thor Amundsen
Won against Warwick Senators (71 – 68)
Coaches notes
Finishing strongly in OT was a highlight for this thriller! Some huge defensive efforts across the floor really demonstrated the building resilience of the group.
Huge offensive games by Odin Amundsen (together with 7 rebounds and 3 steals) and Roman Dowd who was perfect from the field.
Some great lessons from this week as we plan for Raiders next.
Player of the game
Roman Dowd for his applied defensive hustle, resulting in some key turnovers resulting in valuable buckets.
U16 Boys Blue – Derek Quayle
Loss against South West Slammers (76 – 85)
Coaches notes
A much better effort today across all 4 quarters. We made a concerted effort to start the game much better but it wasn’t looking good when we let them get 7 points in the first minute. The boys then settled and we managed to win the quarter 22-17.
The second and third quarters we were still playing with good intensity but just couldn’t finish a lot of our good work. We were also in foul trouble with a number of players so that was also making it a little difficult.
A big effort was required in the 4th quarter and the boys stepped up and we outscored them by 5 points, but it wasn’t quite enough to get over the line.
The birthday boy Lucas played a great game with 18 points and plenty of rebounds. Marcus was back with 13 points, Tom had 9 and Cooper and Jacob had 8 each.
Player of the game
The birthday boy Lucas gets the player of the round this week. His effort on the boards and in the low post were a standout and helped the team all day.
U18 Girls Black – Rick Batista
Won against Perth Redbacks (65 – 44)
Coaches notes
Fought through a fair bit of adversity in this game. Ana was away and Hannah rolled her ankle quite badly and left the game early. Low rotations and some interesting umpiring meant we had our work cut out for us. Amber and Lily continued to provide wonderful leadership and initiation of the offence. Sienna and Kira just continue to do their roles so so well. Hannah found some wonderful confidence and form before unfortunately going down. Congratulations to Bella who debuted and worked her tail off when she got her opportunity.
Player of the game
This week Player of the game goes to Louise Romero. Louise really broke the game apart with her defense in the first quarter. Coach always asks Louise for gut effort and she consistently delivers that in droves. Her hassle caused 2 massive turnovers in which she scored off and that really set the tone for the team. Well done Louise!
U18 Girls Orange – Charlie Smart (Sponsored by: Parker Crofts & Co)
Loss against East Perth Eagles (41 – 47)
Coaches notes
Shout out to Lisa who represented the Orange & Black in her inaugural Eastern Suns game on Sunday.
Player of the game
Missy – Missy’s composure throughout is to be commended as it was a scrappy game. So good to see Missy getting stronger each week in what has been a long recovery. Her confidence is building, making the right shot selections, help defense securing much needed rebounds and strong drives throughout. Well done Missy!
U18 Boys Black – Cooper Lowe (Sponsored by: Silverstone)
Loss against Rockingham Flames (82 – 92)
Coaches notes
A tough game that saw us go down in the end. Plenty of really good spurts where we put ourselves in a position to win, just need to be able to do that for longer during the game.
Player of the game
Marley Sam is my player of the week this week. His ability to play defense at a high level and also get our offence flowing, is a credit to him as a player.
U18 Boys Orange – Brad Dowd (Sponsored by: GJ Demo Pty Ltd)
Won against Perry Lakes Hawks (70 – 58)
Coaches notes
A strong 1st and 4th quarter got us across the line in this game, but we need to work on our consistency.
Isaiah attacked the rim well with 18 points plus a couple of steals and Jack had a strong game staying composed, finishing with 14 points, 1 rebound and 2 steals.
Player of the game
Tom Bartle wins player of the game finishing with 5 rebounds, 2 blocks and 13 points.
U18 Boys White – Rae D’Sylva
Loss against Lakeside Lightning (72 – 90)
Coaches notes
This week we had a lot of players contribute in different moments of the game which is a positive for us. Every week the boys have improved and it’s been tough with injuries and boys being sick, but we have managed to get better at ball movement and getting the bigs involved.
Player of the game
Alireza Eghbal. Ali had his best performance this week with his on ball defense and hustle, while getting his teammates involved when he drew a double team.
U18 Boys Blue – Bailey Ferguson (Sponsored by: Amy Jacobson Pty Ltd)
Loss against Willetton Tigers (60 -103)
U20 Boys Black – Lochy Brown
Won against Perry Lakes Hawks (110 – 100)
U21 Girls Black – Lizel Buckley
Loss against Perry Lakes Hawks (67 – 79)
Coaches notes
We are starting to work as a team as we are still getting more players into the rotation.
Player of the game
Grace O’Meara Smith- stepped up when needed and played both ends of the floor. Stepping up as a leader on the court.