Gemma Potter, Hannah Hank star in Geelong United’s NBL1 round 1 112-72 win over Mount Gambier
Geelong United’s WNBL talent set the foundation for a big NBL1 round 1 win. But they left it to their younger counterparts to close out the game in jaw-dropping fashion.
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Geelong United’s WNBL talent may have set the tone for a big opening NBL1 win but it was the club’s next generation who stole the show in the final two minute with a barrage of threes.
United set the tempo from tip off in a comfortable 112-72 win over Mount Gambier Pioneers on Saturday night, WNBL guard Gemma Potter’s quick first lay-up kicking off a strong performance from the 23-year-old, with 16 point at half time and a game-high 25 points and nine rebounds to finish.
Resuming a formidable partnership with WNBL teammates Hannah Hank (22 points and seven rebounds) and Jaz Shelley (19 points, eight rebounds, six assists and four steals), the game was well under control against the undermanned Mount Gambier by three-quarter time, giving coach Megan Moody the chance to experiment with her combinations.
Along with 19-year-old starter Dakota Crichton, Moody went with Raini Matthews, Jasmine King, Aleks Connolly and Mackenzie Drew – the latter two in their NBL1 debuts – for the final few minutes.
With the Pioneers holding an 18-16 edge for the quarter, what happened next arguably exceeded anyone’s expectations, a Stevens’ three setting off a chain of five triples in the final minutes, King hitting back-to-back longballs followed by Matthews, before Stevens knocked down a second to ice the game in spectacular fashion.
“Our senior players did a fantastic job of leading our younger group and we were able to get some really good minutes into some of our younger players, and I think they showed at the end they’re capable of playing at this level,” Moody said.
In just her seventh NBL1 game, 16-year-old King came off the bench for 12 points – all triples – with all 11 players banking points on Saturday night.
“It ran all the way through our bench … the girls came on and not only scored and contribute on the offence end of the floor, but defensively not only did they maintain the intensity we started the game with but I think they lifted it for us,” Hank said.
Defensive pressure was rife from the get-go, United with 18 steals and scoring 17 points off turnovers, while they dominated the boards, 29-13, including 13-3 on the offensive glass.
Boasting a height advantage on the Pioneers, United showed its various weapons, Potter just as damaging inside as she was from three, while Hank, the main presence in the paint, also stepping out to knock down a three.
“We’re definitely very versatile group, I think everyone has the capacity to play inside and out, even if that’s someone like Jaz going and posting up as a smaller guard,” Hank said.
“Everyone’s working on their game and trying to find different ways to improve, for Gem it might be working on her inside game, and for someone like myself, trying to extend my threes.”
Final quarter injury concerns to Tanielle Knight (left ankle) and Lilly Rotunno (corkie) will be worked through during the week, Moody unsure post-match of their severity.
Preview: Relationships key to United’s women’s success, says Potter
Geelong United guard Gemma Potter says the club’s youngest NBL1 players will have as much ownership in the team’s success this season as their WNBL counterparts.
Potter is one of five Geelong WNBL names ready to step back on court at the Arena on Saturday for their NBL1 South season-opener against Mount Gambier Pioneers.
Star guard Jaz Shelley and emerging forward Hannah Hank, as well as development players Dakota Crichton and Tanielle Knight, headline the city’s new-look women’s NBL1 roster under coach Megan Moody, with WNBL mentor Chris Lucas overseeing the program.
Taylor Mole won’t be rushed back in her return from back surgery, which cut short her first WNBL season with Geelong, though Potter indicated her teammate was progressing well and “hitting all the benchmarks”.
Potter, who took 10 days off from courtwork to freshen up between seasons, believed United’s debut season in the WNBL – marked by a 6-15 record – “exceeded any expectation we put on ourselves”.
The 23-year-old, who was a league finalist for sixth woman of the year, remained confident the bonds formed would foster future success.
“I think just the way we came out, the relationships and how much we all enjoyed playing together was something that really stood out … you don’t always get that sometimes in teams,” Potter said.
“I think that was the key takeaway, how special the group was and how excited we are to get back at it next season.”
Until then, Potter and her teammates will form a new nucleus and chemistry in NBL1 with the addition of several of Geelong’s best up-and-coming talent including Jasmine King, Poppy Stevens, Indiana Schwarz and Willow Smith.
“We’re (WNBL players) probably the new faces to the Geelong community and around the club, those (younger) girls have come up through the ranks all through juniors … it’s not like we’re coming in trying to make it our team, they have just as much input and say, as they should, because this is their program and club they’ve committed their whole junior program to.
“It’s working together to find the perfect team.
“Everyone’s got a chance to flourish in this team and it’s really exciting for everyone, to put their best foot forward and see what we can do.”
One teammate Potter is predicting big things from this winter is Crichton, who came to Geelong via Warrnambool and built up her minutes late in the WNBL season amid player injuries.
“She showed glimpses of what she could do in the back-end of the WNBL season,” Potter said of the 19-year-old.
“I think just have a bigger role and being leaned on a bit more, it’s going to be really exciting.”
Recruit and point guard Lilly Rotunno, 21, is another expected to play a leading role.
“She fits the group off-the-court too, which is sometimes the biggest thing you look for in a basketball player, the type of person they are,” Potter said.
“She’s played under Chris (Lucas) before … she kind of knows the way we’re going to be working this season, it’s been quite seamless.”
Potter said the goal was to “protect our home court” against Mt Gambier in round 1.
Originally published as Gemma Potter, Hannah Hank star in Geelong United’s NBL1 round 1 112-72 win over Mount Gambier
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