Author: Tristan Prentice

A Deadly Combo: With next season now firmly in the focus, is it fittingly time to have both Larrakia Women on the floor together at the same time in Abby Cubillo and Jasmin Fejo - Photo credit to WNBL

4-Minute Read

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WNBL ROUND 14

Adelaide Lightning vs Perth Lynx

When: 7:00pm (ACDT), Thursday 16 February

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

Broadcast: Nine Now

STRIKE BACK IN HISTORY

Lightning light up fire in indigenous festivities

(WNBL22 Round 13)

The WNBL’s inaugural Indigenous Round commenced in 2022 – read about the Lightning’s win over the Townsville Fire at the House of Lightning.

MATCH REPORT – Lightning light up Fire in Indigenous festivities

LTTM: 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 Bendat Basketball Centre

Key Matchups

Lauren Mansfield vs Sami Whitcomb   

Mansfield is due for a big one tonight after averaging 7.75 per game the last four matches. Compounding that is the average of 2.5 turnovers per match – the Lightning need their point guard firing against a Lynx team with their claws out right at the pointy end of the season. She played well last time they met in the West with a 11 point, 5 assist and 2 steals statline.

“Returning storm” at the Lightning will be superstar Whitcomb. She’s only averaged nine points in her last two matches whilst also putting up an average of four shots beyond the arc. Compared to the previous four matches which was 23.75 points with seven but at 55.25 percent! She’ll need to be contained if the Lightning are going to pull off the upset.

Marena Whittle vs Chloe Bibby

Whittle has been solid in the last few games for the Lightning playing her role extremely well. She’s strung together double figures in four of her last five matches plus added three double doubles with 10 rebounds each. Her strength under the basket and physicality is a must to contain Bibby who was the hardest cat to contain from the Lynx in the West last time.

Bibby had a giant one last time they met with 25 points at 50 percent and 9 rebounds. It was a difficult matchup to contend with given her size and ability to switch between multiple positions in the floor. In the Lynx’s lineup – she takes the most of the 16.2 percent of their shots from the mid-range. Shut her down and if the rest of the Lightning team can contain the perimeter – it leaves very little scores from the mid-range option if Bibby has less touches of the ball.

Abby Cubillo vs Tayah Burrows  

The second half of the season has been time to shine for Cubillo – and on Indigenous round as well she’s showing the kind of play that reflects the spirit of the round. Hard, tough, smart and packing a punch – Cubillo’s deadly play in all senses is being rewarded with larger minutes. Since the Flames game early January she’s averaged 20 minutes per game for an average of 5.6 points. Another point of interest is in combination with Whittle and Talbot – they hold opposition to 93.7 points per 100 possessions meaning they can prevent more points going up on the scoreboard than other combinations.

Its what Cubillo does off the ball that makes her a valuable recruit to the Lightning lineup in WNBL23.

The Lynx are getting plenty out of their bench too with Burrows grabbing opportunities while starting guards have been injured. Coach Ryan Petrik has thrown her in for double figure minutes the last month and its yielding dividends. She had a huge game against the Boomers with 15 points including a perfect nine of nine from the charity stripe. One to watch especially with expected 36 plus temperatures tonight and heavy rotations needed by both sides.

THREE QUESTIONS TO STRIKE ON

How much do we want to see the “deadly” combo tonight?  

We’ve known for ages that both Cubillo and Jasmin Fejo can play at the level with opportunity given – now is the time with two home games left for the Lightning to see more than five minutes of the combo. Add Borlase to that and you have a powerful three I think that can work in tandem. Cubillo will set the table at the point and Fejo should be given licence to attack the rim and set those little stagger picks which then frees up her and Borlase to really put some points on the board.

How desperate are the Lynx to get this double?  

Although Petrik is looking at one game at a time as he’s said on broadcast – there does need to be an eye on what needs to be done. Sitting in fifth with five games remaining the Lynx at 9-7 can get to 14 wins max. However they have lost the split to the Townsville Fire in their last two losses but can also claim their split over the Bendigo Spirit. If they got beaten by the Flyers and Spirit who are above them – 12 potential wins might be enough to tie on these splits but one slip against the Lightning or Caps could seal their fate early.

So yes – they should be desperate with very room for error in the final weeks of the regular season.

What’s the missing pieces for Lightning they should begin to have a look at around the league?    

Hopefully the Lightning are having a look at two key pieces for next season – a starting centre to support an import centre like Munroe (if it is her again in WNBL24) and a South Australian local big to support Batish and Brook. Alanna Smith is the one not signed but whether she comes back to the Lightning if she returned to the WNBL is anyone’s guess. Another option to look at for a starting centre is any of the talented next generation ones sitting much pine time.

In terms of local – Hannah Hank or Lizzie Williamson (if she were to finish up early to pickup a contract like Sam Simons did) would definitely be on the radar having been involved in academy and other SA basketball national teams for multiple years.

So who wins?

The Lightning can match it with the Lynx however the opposing team have to much at stake if it comes down to a close finish. Its been all about the starts for the Lightning this season and if they can strike early then panic may settle into Perth.

I think at least for this one and rested an recovered with only one game this weekend – the Cats of the Lynx should pounce on this one for the win comfortably.

COD Prediction: Lynx by 11 points

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).

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