NBL1 West 2023: Concerning defeats continue for South West Slammers women’s team as competitiveness wanes

The overall reputation of senior State women’s basketball in the South West spiralled further over the weekend, with the South West Slammers women’s team comprehensively beaten by Perry Lakes and Willetton. Saturday — Perry Lakes Hawks 96 (Ashleigh Isenbarger 20 points, Emma Clarke 19) d South West Slammers 54 (Kate Williams 13, Alexis Donovan 11) at Eaton Recreation Centre The Hawks bolted out to a 26-3 lead inside the opening seven and a half minutes, which emphatically slayed any hopes of a genuine contest. Once again, a lack of height at both ends of the glass proved to be a glaring weakness for the Slammers, who were unable to quell quality duo Emma Clarke (19 points, nine rebounds, four assists) and Ashleigh Isenbarger (20 points, four rebounds, two assists and one steal), who effectively did what they wanted in the paint. Thoughts of a 100-point loss filled the stadium heading into the second term, however the Hawks elected to empty their bench and spread playing time instead of running up the score unduly. On a night where few Slammers players caught the eye with their performances, Slammers guard Kate Williams could hold her head high, along with youngster Bree Chalk. Keeper stats Overall offence (Hawks 40/98, Slammers 19/65); Field goals (Hawks 33/70, Slammers 14/38); three-point attempts (Hawks 7/28, Slammers 5/27); free-throw attempts (Slammers 11/14, Hawks 9/14); total rebounds (Hawks 63-45 Slammers); assists (Hawks 27-9 Slammers); steals (Hawks 20-9 Slammers); turnovers (Slammers 28-14 Hawks); fouls (Slammers 12-all Hawks). Sunday — Willetton Tigers 119 (Alex Sharp 20, Amy Jacobs 20) d South West Slammers 63 (Kate Williams 15, Bree Chalk 11) at Willetton Basketball Stadium. Facing an experienced Tigers line up led by WNBL gun Alex Sharp looked to be tough enough for the teenager-filled Slammers, however worse was yet to come. After playing for the club’s under 18s team in Rockingham at 9am, four players — Chalk, Charlotte Mills, Alexis Donovan and Grace Adams — all had to jump back in a car and travel up to Willetton for the senior game at noon. These factors unsurprisingly contributed to another forgettable outing for the leg-weary youngsters, who trailed 70-30 at the half — a lead inflated by the Tigers’ 25 trips to the free-throw line during the first two quarters. Four Slammers players entered the second half with three personal fouls, which meant they were required to tiptoe through the remainder of the game physically. Sharp (20 points, 16 rebounds), who recently signed with the Canberra Cannons after departing from the Perth Lynx, did the bulk of her hard work during the first half, before Amy Jacobs (20 points, 10 rebounds) peppered the Slammers late after coming off the bench. Keeper stats Overall offence (Tigers 42/95, Slammers 22/75); Field goals (Tigers 31/58, Slammers 15/48); three-point attempts (Tigers 11/37, Slammers 7/27); free-throw attempts (Tigers 24/37, Slammers 12/19); total rebounds (Tigers 68-47 Slammers); assists (Tigers 29-15 Slammers); steals (Tigers 21-4 Slammers); turnovers (Slammers 26-9 Tigers); fouls (Slammers 25-18 Tigers).