NBL1 West 2023: More lessons for teenage-filled South West Slammers women’s team

The South West Slammers women’s team remain winless in the NBL1 West women’s competition following their double header at the weekend.

Friday night — Cockburn Cougars 113 (Jessie Edwards 29 points, Sarah Mortensen 17) d South West Slammers 47 (Bree Chalk 11, Alexis Donovan 11) at Wally Hagan Stadium

This clash was televised in front of a national audience on streaming service Kayo Sports, which provided a tremendous opportunity for both teams to impress in front of coaches and scouts both here and abroad.

Unfortunately for the young Slammers, they were blown away inside the opening three minutes and never recovered.

It was a frustrating night in particular for experienced recruit Paris Duffield (three points, two rebounds, 11 turnovers), who was backing up from her 31-point game against Warwick Senators six days earlier and Bree Chalk (11 points, one rebound, 11 turnovers), who both battled hard throughout despite the ballooning deficit.

The Slammers’ luck was summed up late in the third quarter when Duffield made a team-lifting three-point shot in the corner — however it was waved away by officials as she had stepped out of bounds.

Keeper stats

Field goals (Cougars 33/60, Slammers 13/32); three-point attempts (Cougars 11/33, Slammers 2/17); free-throw attempts (Cougars 14/17, Slammers 15/21); total rebounds (Cougars 55-32 Slammers); assists (Cougars 28-8 Slammers); steals (Cougars 26-11 Slammers); turnovers (Slammers 38-16 Cougars); fouls (Cougars 23-17 Slammers).

Saturday night — East Perth Eagles 73 (Madison Torresin 20, Sylwia Bujniak 13) d South West Slammers 51 (Kate Williams 13, Lauren Vincent 8) at Eaton Recreation Centre

Despite another loss, the Slammers’ ball retention improved significantly in this game.

At times, Alex Ciabattoni’s side showed tremendous endeavour and were able to capitalise on the Eagles’ intent to shoot consistently from deep during the middle stages of the game.

Unfortunately for the Slammers, several of these deep looks landed towards the back end of the contest, which ensured the visitors always had a tidy buffer.

A lack of height once again proved telling at both ends of the floor for the home side, along with difficulties in penetrating to the basket.

Keeper stats

Field goals (Eagles 12/31, Slammers 12/31); three-point attempts (Eagles 12/31, Slammers 8/33); free-throw attempts (Eagles 13/17, Slammers 3/8); total rebounds (Eagles 50-37 Slammers); assists (Slammers 16-all Eagles); steals (Eagles 9-5 Slammers); turnovers (Eagles 21-16 Slammers); fouls (Slammers 17-13 Eagles).