Sunshine Coast Lightning star Cara Koenen eager to fire against Giants

Sunshine Coast Lightning shooter Cara Koenen has regained her mojo after a move back to goal shooter but she’s made a brutally honest assessment of her decisions in the dying stages of the loss to the Fever.

Cara Koenen of the Lighting looks for a passing option during the round four Super Netball match between West Coast Fever and Sunshine Coast Lightning. Picture: James Worsfold/Getty Images.

Sunshine Coast Lightning shooter Cara Koenen has given a brutal but honest assessment of her performance against West Coast Fever, admitting her performance in the dying minutes let the game slip away.

Since making the change back to shooter from goal attack for her last two appearances, the Diamonds representative has been back to her sparkling best, shooting 31 from 33 in her side’s 68-66 round 4 loss.

Despite stacking up well on the stat sheet, the 29-year-old said her decision making in the final moments wasn’t up to scratch.

“There were a lot of positives to take out of the match but I think reflecting personally I definitely was disappointed in how I stood up in those final moments,” she said.

“There were moments throughout the game to clinch the win and put the foot down to gap them but I think my decision making at the end was pretty disappointing.

Cara Koenen of the Lighting shoots for goal. Picture: James Worsfold/Getty Images.

“The main focus is to get clarity in those scenarios, obviously there is a lot going on in those dying moments of the game, the crowd was super loud, there was heaps of energy in the stadium and the momentum had swung towards the Fever.”

Koenen was involved in two pivotal moments in the final two minutes of the match when the Lightning lost possession when leading by a goal.

The first involved a turnover when shooting partner Reilley Batcheldor attempted a baseline throw-in to Koenen, who had called for the ball, with the pass intercepted by Fever defender Kadie-Ann Dehaney.

A minute later, with the scores locked, Koenen rejected a one-point attempt in the circle, pushing the ball back out and attempting a super shot seconds later, which rimmed out, the Fever eventually taking possession and working the ball into attack to score.

“I think it was just that decision making in those final moments - which is weird because I’ve been here a while now but as one of the more experienced players I want to be that cool, calm, collected person out on the court,” she said.

Belinda Reynolds talks to the players during the third quarter time break. Picture: James Worsfold/Getty Images.

Lightning head coach Belinda Reynolds said it was a gut-wrenching final result.

“It was a really tough review, the girls were gutted not to have finished the game off as I think we got ourselves into a winning position,” she said.

“There were just a few things in the dying moments that didn’t go our way.

“I would’ve been a very different review though if we had won it, I think we would’ve said we played everything right so it does come down to those small moments which had a huge impact on the game.”

With two wins and two losses the Lightning now sit in third spot on the Super Netball ladder, only ahead of the Firebirds, Vixens and Fever on percentage.

Cara Koenen of the Lighting high fives her teammates. Picture: James Worsfold/Getty Images.

They head into Sunday’s home Mother’s Day clash against the Giants who snagged their first win of the season over reigning premiers the Thunderbirds last round.

The two sides played out a controversial overtime game last season when the Giants claimed an 86-80 victory in extra time, almost an hour after the Sunshine Coast had been declared one-goal winners.

A Netball Australia review found a bench official incorrectly adjusted the score during a time-out late in the final quarter.

The in-venue scoreboard showed the Lightning ahead 71-70 when the correct score was 71-71.

Despite the mix-up Koenen said she was eager for another physical battle.

“I think the Giants are a little bit of a loose cannon to be honest,” she said.

“They seem to really turn up on the day every time we come up against them, we had some good contests last year and I’m looking forward to a physical battle out on court.

Jo Harten of the Giants has been in solid form this season. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images.

“I feel they play a different brand of netball, it’s more of a chip, slow game so it’ll be a different tempo for our defenders to have a look at as well.

“They took a win off Thunderbirds who dealt us our biggest loss of the season thus far so we’re definitely not taking the opponent lightly.”

Reynolds said she was excited for the contest.

“The Giants have threats all over the court. I thought Jo Harten had a really good game as she has great leadership down there and is a real target for them,” she said.

“Jamie-Lee Price has good strength in the middle with her drives and her defensive impact but I think with the Giants it is their full team effort in both attack and defence.

“It is hard to pick, I think most of their players had good matches last game, Maddie Hay and Sophie Dwyer had good intent around their movement as well so we’re scouting that now and we’ll have to be at our best to beat them.”