Women’s National Basketball League: Melbourne Boomers finish punishing run of eight games in 23 days
In what has been one of the most gruelling schedules in WNBL history, our game on Sunday against Adelaide brought an end to a run of eight games in 23 days. Lauren Jackson takes us Inside the Boomers’ Camp
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In what has been one of the most gruelling schedules in WNBL history, our game on Sunday against Adelaide brought an end to a run of eight games in 23 days.
To say the team did it in style is an understatement.
They have been beyond impressive.
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Not only have we been from one end of Australia (a few times) and back home to play again a day later, we have been hampered by a few fairly serious injuries to a couple of our stars in Ezi Magbegor and Steph Talbot.
After a somewhat precarious position down near the bottom of the ladder during the first few rounds of the season, our girls weathered the storm and fought their way back to a top four position.
They definitely cemented their position as one of the teams to beat this season with potential oozing from every play.
It is certain that once this team gets rolling again — with Magbegor and Talbot back in the mix — the Boomers could achieve some very special things.
The key from here is staying healthy under the leadership and sheer will to win of our MVP candidate, import and point guard Lindsay Allen.
The WNBL schedule looks a lot kinder to us with six successive single weekends coming up, a stark contrast to the four successive doubles we have just encountered.
Next up is this Saturday’s game against Townsville at the State Basketball Centre from 3pm. It will be our third clash against last season’s champions and, so far so good, we have two wins from two games against the champs.
This Saturday is our very popular Dads and Daughters Day, an annual event that always attracts a large crowd.
We’re encouraging all the dads out there to spend some quality time with their daughter or daughters and to come along and enjoy a great afternoon of fun at a Boomers game.
RUN COMES TO AN END
The Melbourne Boomers’ four-game winning streak came to an end with a tense 72-70 loss to the UC Capitals in Canberra on Friday night.
Playing their seventh game in 20 days the Boomers couldn’t capitalise on a strong first half and failed to find points at crucial stages of the last quarter.
Cayla George opened the scoring before a Maddie Garrick two-point jump shot followed by baskets from Lindsay Allen and Jenna O’Hea gave the Boomers an early lead. The Boomers then outscored the Capitals (26-11) in the second term to open an 11-point lead at the half.
Though the Boomers led by four points midway through the final quarter, the momentum started to swing the Capitals’ way and they drew level with 2:10 left on the clock.
Kia Nurse nailed what was to be the game-winning jumper with a mere 18 seconds left to play.
Allen had another outstanding game with 24 points while George (11 points and six rebounds) and Garrick (12 and six) were also important.
The Boomers bounced back into the winners’ circle with an 84-82 thriller against Adelaide at the State Basketball Centre on Sunday.
Melbourne jumped to a six-point lead at quarter-time and held off a desperate Lightning challenge after that.
Skipper O’Hea was brilliant with 24 points, while Allen had 18 and Stephanie Talbot 16.
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