Sydney Flames coach tips Adelaide Lighting as WNBL force
SYDNEY Uni Flames coach Cheryl Chambers says last season’s wooden spooners, Adelaide Lightning, have the talent and “emotion’ to pull off one of the biggest stings in the WNBL.
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SYDNEY Uni Flames coach Cheryl Chambers says last season’s wooden spooners, Adelaide Lightning, have the talent and “emotion’ to pull off one of the biggest stings in the WNBL in recent history by pressing for the overall crown this season.
Chambers says Lightning, her sides first-up away challenge in the 2016/17 WNBL on Friday night, are one of the top three teams to beat in the new competition and have the ability to write one of the biggest comeback stories in recent times.
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The coach of the defending WNBL champions believes Adelaide has the personnel to go from the worst to potentially the best team in most elite competition for women’s basketball in Australia.
Smart recruiting will pave the way for new success but Chambers also believes wanting to impress their coach will be another factor for the revamped Lighting side.
Chris Lucas is currently on a personal comeback from successful surgery for cancer on a kidney.
“There will be plenty of emotion behind their charge,’’ Chambers said.
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“They are a completely different team this year and have some real quality there.
“It’s amazing what a difference a few months can make.’’
Adelaide finished the 2016/17 regular season with just three wins from the 24 matches.
In contrast, the Flames claimed the minor premiers crown with 18 wins from their 24 outings.
But the loss of star Leilani Mitchell in the offseason and the loss to injury of point guard Tahlia Tupeau for around two thirds of the season will see the defending WNBL champions enter the fray weaker than Chalmers had hoped.
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The 2017/18 WNBL season has been condensed and will run from this Friday until January with the eight clubs playing 21 games across 13 rounds through the regular season before the finals start.
Along with Adelaide, the Melbourne Boomers are expected to also be a dominant force this year after nabbing scoring machine Liz Cambage with the Suzy Batkovic lead Townsville Fire also in the mix.
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WNBL ROUND ONE (all times local)
Oct. 5: 7:30pm Dandenong Vs Melbourne
Oct. 6: 7:00pm Adelaide Vs Sydney Uni
Oct. 6: 7:30pm UC Capitals Vs Bendigo
Oct. 7: 3:00pm Melbourne Vs Townsville
Oct. 8: 1:00pm Perth Vs Sydney Uni
Oct. 8: 3:00pm UC Capitals Vs Adelaide
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