NBL1 West 2023: Incredible shooting performances and career-best games sink South West Slammers women

The South West Slammers women’s team remain winless on the bottom of the NBL1 West women’s table following defeats against Rockingham and Kalamunda. It’s not all doom and gloom in the Slammers camp however, following the announcement of women’s playing coach Alex Ciabattoni returning to the Perth Lynx during the Slammers’ off-season. Friday night — Rockingham Flames 129 (Mehryn Kraker 22 points, Teyla Evans 21) d South West Slammers 51 (Javene Fitch 9, Kate Williams 9) at Eaton Recreation Centre. From the moment they began their warm up, it appeared evident the Rockingham Flames were going to have a good night offensively against the Slammers. With crisp communication, set feet and meticulous precision, Flames players young and old relished every time they touched the ball. Leading the way in the destruction of the Slammers were Teyla Evans (21 points), Tiana Wilson-Palmer who had a career-best game (20 points - 5/10 beyond the arc) and former Slammers star Taya Burrows (16 points, 11 rebounds, 12 assists, six steals). The Flames’ 78-point win was punctuated by phenomenal outside shooting, finishing 22/42 (50 per cent) from three-point land. Additionally, all 10 players who suited up for the visitors scored points. Keeper stats — Overall offence (Flames 45/83, Slammers 19/61); Field goals (Flames 23/39, Slammers 15/39); three-point attempts (Flames 22/42, Slammers 4/22); free-throw attempts (Flames 17/23, Slammers 9/16); total rebounds (Flames 53-35 Slammers); assists (Flames 36-19 Slammers); steals (Flames 20-6 Slammers); turnovers (Slammers 28-9 Flames); fouls (Slammers 16-13 Flames). Saturday night — Kalamunda Eastern Suns 87 (Natalie Chou 24, Samantha Roscoe 20) d South West Slammers 63 (Bree Chalk 16, Grace Adams 10) at Ray Owen Sports Centre. On the back of the Flames loss, the Slammers started this game positively and led 9-3 inside the opening three minutes. With only nine players available, Ciabattoni (who played 22 minutes) and her players were unable to hold off the Eastern Suns, who outscored them 19-3 for the remainder of the quarter. The Slammers trailed by 15 points at the half and could’ve been significantly closer, had their shooting (9/40 overall, 4/23 inside the paint) been on target. Led superbly by Natalie Chou, a former US under 17 representative and UCLA starter, the Eastern Suns held firm in the second half, and were able to celebrate Georgia Denehey’s — another former Slammers player — 150th game. Keeper stats — Overall offence (Eastern Suns 30/80, Slammers 22/74); Field goals (Eastern Suns 18/50, Slammers 12/43); three-point attempts (Eastern Suns 12/30, Slammers 10/31); free-throw attempts (Eastern Suns 15/23, Slammers 9/13); total rebounds (Eastern Suns 55-50 Slammers); assists (Eastern Suns 23-12 Slammers); steals (Eastern Suns 10-7 Slammers); turnovers (Slammers 16-10 Eastern Suns); fouls (Slammers 15-13 Eastern Suns).