Adelaide Lightning’s flaws exposed again as SEQ sets up WNBL win with 30-10 first period

ADELAIDE on Sunday revealed its WNBL rookie status goes beyond the line-up to the coaching staff as it squandered a chance for a third straight win with a devastating start.

13/12/15 - Adelaide Lightning v SEQ Stars WNBL game at Wayville Sports Centre. Lightnings Alex Ciabattoni defended by Stars Nadeen Payne. Photo Tom Huntley

ADELAIDE on Sunday revealed its WNBL rookie status goes beyond the line-up to the coaching staff as it squandered a chance for a third straight win with a devastating start.

Clearly overly-enthused by the fact London Olympian Rachel Jarry was a late withdrawal from SEQ’s team for the showdown at the Lighthouse, Lightning opened with some expectation of an easier day.

Co-captain Kelly Bowen missed two easy shots early as the Stars rattled on eight unanswered points, SEQ coach Shane Heal assigning long-armed 185cm Rebecca Allen the defensive job on 165cm Lightning playmaker Leilani Mitchell.

With Lightning’s offence stifled and SEQ import Jordan Hooper scoring 12 points out of her game high 19 on Bowen in the first period, the Stars led 30-10 at the first break and this effectively was over.

SEQ’s 72-61 win was more hard-fought than it appears but only because deep sub Alex Ciabattoni came in to score 13 points on 6-of-7 shooting in a blistering final period, and Jess Good and Jess Bygate offered quality effort off the bench.

Pressing desperately and with Mikaela Dombkins offering a scoring avenue — Mikaela Ruef shot up more speculative nonsense and Kayla Standish had no legs — Adelaide clawed it back to 17 by halftime after falling as many as 25 behind.

The margin the same at the last break, Lightning coach Tracy York again showed how little she understands her personnel, while continuing to play favourites.

Ciabattoni had played 3:40 — not in one go either — prior to starting the final quarter and tearing the Stars apart. She almost single-handedly dragged the deficit back to 10 at 57-67.

With three minutes left and momentum building, Ruef missed an easy shot from point-blank that would have cut the deficit under double figures, Hooper’s three pushing it back to 70-57.

Good, after blocking Nadeen Payne, scored inside and when Ciabattoni adjusted her jumpshot’s trajectory to compensate Ify Ibekwe’s outstretched arm, it was 61-70 but inside the last minute.

York took time-out, subbed Bowen in for Good, ran a play for her co-captain instead of Ciabattoni — the hottest player on court — which, unsurprisingly drew nothing.

“I just thought if I get an opportunity to show what I can do, I’m going to,” Ciabattoni said.

Pity she wasn’t recognised sooner.

Originally published as Adelaide Lightning’s flaws exposed again as SEQ sets up WNBL win with 30-10 first period