Author: Tristan Prentice

Money Monroe: The Flyers Achilles heal has been their inside defensive presence and Jacinta Monroe of the Lightning can turn in another uber aggressive performance to give her side a chance  - Photo credit to WNBL

4-Minute Read

Please continue to support SA basketball news and features content being written as well as national/international with the Pick and Roll – with our recent influx of work we are making content all free to read but need constant contributions to make this happen. $5 a month is all we are asking – If not keen to subscribe then please message to receive direct debit details how you can keep these quality features being produced

WNBL ROUND 12

Adelaide Lightning vs Southside Flyers

When: 7:00pm (ACDT), Thursday 28 January

Where:  Adelaide 36ers Arena (Formerly Adelaide/TS Arena – The Lighthouse)

Broadcast: Nine Now

STRIKE BACK IN HISTORY

Phillips electric as Lightning storm to decider

(WNBL Preliminary Final 2007/2008)

A shock first up loss by 19 points in the finals series of 2007/2008 was enough to sting the Lightning back into action for an afternoon clash between two strong contenders – with the Dandenong Rangers upsetting the Canberra Capitals to earn a shot at a place in the decider.

Adelaide responded with an opening quarter of 21-12 and held the lead majority of the contest with a 44 plus percent average across three quarters including beyond the arc. The damage was done by guards Erin Phillips (18 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists and Renae Camino (24 points and 9 rebounds) while Sam Woosnam went sneakily close to a triple double with nine points and assists and 12 rebounds. That saw the Lightning ascend to a dominant 64-50 lead with one to play.

The Rangers got tough defensively in the final term but couldn’t overcome the Lightning despite the efforts of Michelle Brogan (18 points and 11 rebounds) and Emily McInerney (11 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists).

2022/23 WNBL SEASON RD 4: Adelaide V Southside

LTTM: Adelaide Lightning 91 (Bell 23, Monroe 22, Talbot 12, Mansfield 11, Borlase 9) defeated Southside Flyers 72 (M Rocci 26, Blicavs 16, Cole, Ernst 9, Bishop 8) at Adelaide 36ers Arena

Key Matchups

Steph Talbot vs Kayla Thornton    

Talbot was sorely missed by the Lightning before the Fire game last week – and she’ll need to be at full strength ready to attack both ends of the floor. She’s averaging 12.8 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists currently but you get the feeling tomorrow she needs her double edged sword. A 20 piece plus the scalp of one of the league’s in form players in Thornton.

The Dallas Wings star has been on a tear the last month for the Flyers. She’s averaging 17.6 points shooting at over 50 percent and 8.2 rebounds – a lock down from the star Opal is a must after missing the previous Lighthouse clash. How it could be done is by making her take more contested mid-ranges where Thornton is 12 of 46 for the season compared to 56 of 89 made from the “Nykiel” Zone (the keyway or paint for those in the lingo I name after the most successful shooter from that range SA womens basketball has ever seen).

Jacinta Monroe vs Lauren Jackson

Monroe is an absolute key in this fixture tonight for the Lightning to be a chance to steal this one. Its been a little quiet for her since the Fire game at the Lighthouse averaging just 8.3 points in the past three games including the foul out against the Spirit. She’ll be hoping for a change of fortunes and has good form against the Flyers having dropped 22 points, 10 rebounds and three steals. Its at that end of the floor she can grab the advantage against the Flyers in the high-low actions we may see from Nat Hurst.

Thats cause with no Abby Bishop and Nyadiew Puoch inexperienced but exciting – its down to the GOAT who should play after missing the last Lighthouse clash as well with gastro. Playing on a fractured foot since Round 5 – LJ has been incredible in WNBL23 for her stature and status. Still putting up 14.5 points, 5.7 rebounds in 23.2 minutes she’s even at 41 still had to shoulder the centre position for the Flyers – an area Lauren Scherf of the Perth Lynx exposed back in early January.

But she’s due for another big one after a couple of quieter games – Monroe can’t let her get on top or assert her dominance.

Sam Simons vs Monique Conti  

Bell coming out of the Lightning lineup has seen Borlase elevated to starting five rotation which means there is a great opportunity for a Brooke Basham, Sam Simons or even Jasmin Fejo could fill that void as the aggressive scoring guard position. For me with a third of the season to go- its time for Simons to take her game to the next level and show that scoring aggression we’ve seen for the Eagles at NBL1 Central level. Her length should help at the defensive end contain the likes of Bec Cole and Sara Blicavs in her minutes so when she gets her chance – love to see her take it right to her Flyer opponents.

The absence of Dallas Loughridge all season and Aimee Rocci in recent weeks has seen Conti have a very important role as the back up to the star guard play of Maddi Rocci. Conti has a handy 4.3 points and 2.8 assists in 16 minutes per game and if Maddi gets in foul trouble like last time – she’ll have more responsibility for the Flyers.

THREE QUESTIONS TO STRIKE ON

How do the Lightning pick themselves up after another single quarter fade out against the Fire?  

Its taken a little while for us to see what kind of Lightning team we have got this season and it is the one that reflects the overall results despite still being mathematically alive. The supporters I think can still be excited for those nights they really turn it on but this team as Nat Hurst and Matt Clarke have said is on a learning curve as are the coaching staff so that inconsistency can be more accepted now the chances are pretty much gone for top four.

Are the Flyers foxing or are there genuine concerns?  

For a team sitting 11-4 I’m actually not convinced this Flyers team are completely gelled but my goodness its chock full of weapons. The missing of Bishop and Aimee Rocci just exposes the “whole one player strikes foul trouble” does the depth on a consistent basis cover?

Thats the beauty I think of this last third of the season – even though some teams are high up on the ladder in the W column – whoever arrives at playoff station in peak condition and form could snaffle this years title.

While finals are unlikely – what’s the goal for the rest of WNBL23?    

It’s time to get the game time into your next core players and see what they can bring to the table. Its been another season where we’ve seen some incredible “undiscovered” talent when released from the bench.

I want to see Cubillo, Basham, Simons, Fejo, Batish with a bit of Coleman with about an extra five minutes on top of their usual game time which means likes of Talbot and Mansfield playing 26 odd minutes – I’m in favour of that to boost the confidence of this group to show they can be a huge contributing factor to season two under Hurst.

So who wins?

The Lightning’s inconsistency has me leaning on them in this one in particular as a dark horse as they are due but the Flyers should start warm favourites. It all comes down to if Bishop and Rocci are passed fit cause if they are out – The Lightning “thieves” can steal it from Lauren Jackson’s Flyers in a likely full house at the Lighthouse

COD Prediction: Flyers by 6 points

Borlase-imo: While it has not been smooth sailing for the Lightning through the middle third of the season, watching Betty Watson youth award contender Izzy Borlase come of age in the WNBL has been the standout highlight of these set of games - Photo credit to WNBL

Please continue to support SA basketball news and features content being written as well as national/international with the Pick and Roll – with our recent influx of work we are making content all free to read again but need constant contributions to make this happen. If not keen to subscribe then please message to receive direct debit details

7-Minute Read

The Cross-Over-Dribble Dossier

Adelaide Lightning vs Melbourne Boomers

2022/23 WNBL SEASON RD 6: Adelaide v Melbourne

The Rundown

The Lightning got off to a fast start leading 18-9 and then the Boomers went bang. It was 11-21 in favour of the away side with no Tiffany Mitchell but Miela Goodchild was lighting it up along with George.

Although the Lightning got back into it at half time 40-45 – the air of the Boomers taking over was building and in the third quarter in a quiet sort of manner exploded the margin out to 49-73. The bigs of the Boomers sealed in the Lightning’s forwards like Nelson-Ododa and George and they exposed the inexperience of their opposition winning the quarter 9-28 and ultimately cruised to the win.

What the numbers said

The Lightning’s turnovers in the second half were costly as they gave up seven after only five at the half. Not only that the Boomers crushed the boards in the second half 18-26, shot five percent better while the Lightning dropped by four percent.

Adelaide Lightning 64 (Bell 16, Talbot 13, Borlase 10, Cubillo 8) defeated by Melbourne Boomers 89 (Nelson-Ododa, Wallace 20, George 19, Goodchild 17, Murray 8) at Adelaide 36ers Arena

Melbourne Boomers vs Adelaide Lightning

2022/23 WNBL SEASON RD 7: Melbourne v Adelaide

The Rundown

The Lightning bounced back in a big way from the disappointing second half at home to play one of their best games of the season against the now championship favourites. After giving up the first seven points the Lightning reeled off a 23-33 run led by Talbot and a red hot Ella Batish from long range. 13 of Talbot’s 22 points for the game came from the start.

The Lightning held sway through the second before Mia Murray started to catch fire before halftime – and the start of an incredible individual hand. Her seven points at the end of the quarter brought it back to 41-49 and game on. Murray continued to fire from long range but Mansfield matched her at the other end and setup a thrilling final term 71-72.

No team got out by anymore than six points with George putting in her own monumental performance as well. It was Borlase late though that gave the Lightning the chance to steal the game from the Boomers late putting the Lightning in front 88-91 with about two minutes left. The Boomers had several opportunities but with 41 seconds left Murray nailed the dagger but both teams made staggering turnovers and Borlase’s shot fell shot to send it to overtime.

The overtime saw the Lightning unable to buy a bucket while George who collected the league’s first triple double since 2013 (30 pts, 11 rebs, 10 ast) and Nelson-Ododa saw Lucas’s team once again just a little too experienced and execute better under pressure when it mattered over Hurst’s group.

What the numbers said

The Lightning matched it with the Boomers across 40 minutes of basketball and were unlucky to go down given the numbers. The only thing was the Boomers shot 54 percent from the field but the Lightning still put up 46 percent in this area. The Boomers took 24 shots from beyond the arc while the Lightning took 32 – Murray was the difference nailing seven of nine inch nails from deep.

Melbourne Boomers 106 (Murray 34, George 30, Nelson-Ododa 21, Wallace 13) defeated Adelaide Lightning 100 (Talbot, Mansfield 22, Whittle 14, Bell 12, Borlase 10, Brook 8) at the State Basketball Centre in Overtime

Adelaide Lightning vs Bendigo Spirit

2022/23 WNBL SEASON RD 8: Adelaide V Bendigo

The Rundown

The “unlucky” Lightning got even more so with both imports Bell (later found out released but missing due to personal reason) and Monroe (ankle) out of the side with Borlase and Batish getting starts off strong recent performances.

They needed a strong start against the Spirit after some spirit crushing losses – the Spirit denied them that bursting out 2-14 attacking the keyway several times through Ally Wilson. The home side fought back through Talbot and gang with a 9-0 run. Both teams didn’t score for three and a half minutes before Mansfield broke the drought but the Spirit ascended to the lead at halftime with Maley now becoming the problem outrebounding the homeside with 16-15!

Hurst sent Borlase to Maley in the third quarter in one of the games big intelligent moves which helped even out the rebound count and the contest – the Lightning were there with a 51-57 margin at the end of three.

It was a false hope unfortunately as the Spirit piled on a 0-9 run in less than two minutes and the Lightning never recovered as Maley finished with 19 points and 24 rebounds.

What the numbers said

The Spirit had 19 second opportunities given to them which they converted to 23 points. The lack of inside presence for the home side was telling as highlighted by the 33 percent from the field.

Adelaide Lightning 66 (Talbot 21, Batish, Borlase 11, Cubillo 8) defeated by Bendigo Spirit 78 (Maley 19, Griffin, A Wilson 15, McKay, A Froling 11) at Adelaide 36ers Arena

Perth Lynx vs Adelaide Lightning

2022/23 WNBL SEASON RD 8: Perth V Adelaide

The Rundown

Taking momentum to Perth was important but with none to take from but rueing what might have been – the adjustment to time zone and match conditions was always going to be tough. Monroe’s returning though would bolster the Lightning and also bring back some sorely missed inside presence.

It was one of those games where both teams went bucket for bucket with the Lightning doing a great job containing Sami Whitcomb to one of nine beyond the arc – but the homeside opened up the game in the third quarter through Bibby, Ryan and Atwell to lead 61-49.

Bibby took over the final term and despite Monroe and Talbot keeping the scoreboard ticking the Lightning couldn’t overcome the Lynx in a tough double header to finish 2022.

What the numbers said

The Lightning scored 25 points across quarters two and three compared to the Lynx’s 43 points. Steph Talbot nearly broke George’s triple double record only weeks after it with 12 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists.

Perth Lynx 82 (Bibby 25, Atwell 14, Scherf, Whitcomb 11, Sharp 10, Ryan 9) defeated Adelaide Lightning 72 (Monroe 23, Talbot, Whittle 12, Mansfield 11) at Adelaide 36ers Arena

Adelaide Lightning vs Townsville Fire

2022/23 WNBL SEASON RD 9: Adelaide V Townsville

The Rundown

In my rundown of the season – if the Lightning were to make top four their big run started at the beginning of 2023. What followed was the Lightning’s most complete performance of the season what I’d seen this team was capable of.

The Fire went with the Lightning early and led by a point at quarter time – Tianna Hawkins once again causing problems now with 44 consecutive points across five quarters of basketball against this team. The Lightning found their spark through Chelsea Brook with seven points in the second (who had been on a curve of upward form) helping engineer a 9-0 run as they took the lead 48-43.

The Lightning’s conscious defensive effort on Nicholson and Hawkins after halftime continued as Monroe began to insert her dominance while Talbot sneakily but also not had eight rebounds and nine assists at three quarter time – the Lightning holding court 65-57.

Then it was time for one of the favourites for Betty Watson Australian Youth Player of the year Izzy Borlase to drop 13 points in the last quarter to seal the Lightning’s most comprehensive performance of the season.

What the numbers said

The Lightning were superb across the board – 52 percent from the field, 50 percent from beyond the arc, dished 27 assists and only turned it over five times. They blocked six shots and scored 26 points from turnovers. five players cored eight points or more with two scoring twenty or more in Borlase and Monroe.

Talbot finished with three points but importantly 11 rebounds and 10 assists.

Adelaide Lightning 93 (Borlase 23, Monroe 21, Brook 16, Mansfield 15, Cubillo 8) defeated Townsville Fire 68 (Hawkins 20, Nicholson 14, Reid 13, McSpadden, Samuelson 9) at Adelaide 36ers Arena

Adelaide Lightning vs Sydney Flames

2022/23 WNBL SEASON RD 10: Adelaide V Sydney

The Rundown

There was pride on the line after the stirring win against the Fire and for a half it looked like that was going to continue…

Whittle came out with inspired purpose along with Talbot for an 11-2 run before she sustained a leg injury that would be much more serious than first thought. Mansfield also looked really switched on and after another run in the second quarter looked to have the Flames burnt leading 49-32.

Thats when it turned to disaster as Talbot didn’t come back on and the Flames launched an 0-18 run through import Joceyln Willoughby (who had been contained so well in their first game), Tiana Mangakahia and a sprinkling of Emma Clarke from beyond the arc. The Flames had a shock 61-62 lead with one quarter left.

You felt the Lightning were going to just find a way but despite charges from Borlase and Whittle on the scoreboard – the Flames who had looked in previous fortnight like they were ready to claim an upset scalp – held their cool under pressure and scored the upset win away from home.

What the numbers said

The Lightning looked good in all aspects up till halftime but the Flames turned the heat up on ball carrying and forced the Lightning into nine turnovers which resulted in 14 points in the second half. Willoughby finished with 21 points, eight rebounds and six assists after being held to just six in their first encounter.

Adelaide Lightning 77 (Borlase, Whittle 19, Mansfield 13, Monroe 11) defeated by Sydney Flames 81 (Willoughby 21, Mangakahia 16, Sjerven 13, Clarke 12, K Froling 11) at Adelaide 36ers Arena

Adelaide Lightning vs Bendigo Spirit

2022/23 WNBL SEASON RD 10: Adelaide V Bendigo

The Rundown

After the shock defeat to the Flames the Lightning’s task of making top four was starting to become a shaky path – and the Spirit coming off a shock loss of their own to the Caps came in ready for the fight.

Minus Talbot saw Brooke Basham with her first ever WNBL start but the away side quickly snapped into gear as Alicia Froling this time asserted herself on the Lightning to give the Spirit a 24-29 lead at quarter time. The Lightning fought back through Borlase but Ally Wilson joined in and turned up the pain on the Lightning with seven in the quarter and created 11 fast break points for her side – and a 31-52 lead at the half.

Although the damage had be done the Lightning fought hard for the remainder of the contest led by Whittle and Abby Cubillo despite Kelsey Griffin not getting out of second gear for her nine point third quarter. The sore point was Monroe picking up her fourth and fifth foul in a crazy minute after sitting the first half with three fouls as she sat the remainder of the game out after only nine minutes of play.

The Spirit held that cushion and cruised to victory dealing the Lightning a double blow in consecutive days.

What the numbers said

The Lightning apart from a struggling second quarter 7-23 were very competitive this one and it showed in the box score. They had 13 points from the Spirits’s 17 turnovers, 11 second chance points from 11 offensive rebounds and 37 points from the pine led by Whittle with an outstanding double double with 10 rebounds.

Adelaide Lightning 68 (Whittle 18, Cubillo 11, Borlase, Brook 8, Mansfield 7) defeated by Bendigo Spirit 84 (A Wilson, A Froling 18, McKay 17, Griffin 15, Maley 13) at Adelaide 36ers Arena

Townsville Fire vs Adelaide Lightning

2022/23 WNBL SEASON RD 11: Townsville V Adelaide

The Rundown

Talbot was back and a season defining season and game were on the line.

The Fire came out red hot with 11-4 before Borlase and Mansfield cut it back to 17-15 at quarter time. Nicholson contained well last meeting was playing point guard and getting some buckets too but it was Karlie Samuelson not able to miss as she chalked up 13 in the first half with Talbot matching her step for step but the Fire took a handy 38-30 lead into the half.

Samuelson continued to find hot form as she broke the game open to as many as 20 points – the Lightning struggling to find answers and seeing their chances of finishing top four slipping away 68-48 with one to play. Whittle tried to ignite the momentum but the Fire answered every challenge as they snuffed out the Lightning’s last spark and left the remainder of WNBL23 season out of their hands.

What the numbers said

The Lightning allowed the Fire to shoot 50 plus percent from all areas and gave up 14 fast break points. They struggled to find scorers all night while the Fire had five players with nine or more points.

Townsville Fire 92 (Samuelson 29, Hawkins 21, Nicholson 15, Aokuso, Woods 9) defeated Adelaide Lightning 63 (Mansfield, Talbot 13, Borlase 11, Monroe 8) at Townsville Entertainment Centre

Although the chances of finishing top four rest on other results and a slim chance – the Lightning have an opportunity to finish still with a .500 record with six games to go including five against teams currently in the bottom four with them.

A fifth place finish would in my mind set them up for a solid preseason for WNBL24…

Catch all the basketball action Saturday night Jan 28 at 7:00pm at the Arena when the Adelaide Lightning play the Southside Flyers