Category: WNBL

The "Big Benz" Mercedes Russell (pictured) was gifted too many chances on the glass to notch an incredible fifth gear double double of 20 points and 19 rebounds - Photo by Adelaide Lightning

THE WRAP Q BY Q

The first quarter was close to perfect for the away side as they disrupted the Flyers guns in Leilani Mitchell and Bec Cole in numerous defensive sets while exposing the mis-match of Cole on Steph Talbot who took advantage with 10 first quarter points. Flyers coach Cheryl Chambers was forced to start former Lightning player Aimie Clydesdale still missing Jenna O’Hea and Lightning coach Chris Lucas exposed the change going iso on her with switches between Lauren Nicholson and returning skipper Nicole Seekamp. Not only was the scoring spectacular but the two WNBA talls in Russell and Bri Turner for both teams were directing air traffic in the form of the block party. The Lightning after leading by 13 points at most in the first, held sway 25-17 after one.

The game stepped up in physicality as the Flyers came out breathing fire led by bench forward Anneli Maley produced a rejection of her own followed by the biggest one of the night from Russell. The step up in presence in paint clearly deterred the Lightning offence but were still able to hold the Flyers floodgates from opening despite Mitchell finding her range and Keira Rowe dropping one down from the corner. Nicholson restored order with a sweet two point fade-away in transition off a Talbot board but Cole’s first hit from deep cut the margin back to three points before Chelsea Brook pushed it back out to five points at the half 39-34.

The third quarter was a disaster for the Lightning as they gave up four offensive rebounds and multiple extra chances to the Flyers which Russell capitalised on for 12 of her 20 points in the quarter while Sara Blicavs was also starting to rise up. The Lightning however could not find any flow in the offence struggling to finish contested layups and their put-backs, Turner while dominating in rebounds and blocks struggling to put the finishing touches around the rim with the double teaming pressure of Blicavs and Russell. Lucas turned to his veterans in Nat Hurst and Laura Hodges who banked an incredibly important deuce in limited minutes but a 7-22 third quarter left a huge gap to overcome 46-56 in the last.

Kicking off the fourth, Chambers was getting some impact off her bench through Maley who started with the first bucket before Seekamp “inserted” herself into the game. Despite looking clearly out of match fitness, she produced a sweet dish to Brook which sparked a Hurst bomb then a Turner put-back to close the gap forcing the Flyers timeout. Mitchell and Blicavs hit back but Turner slowly was turning the game back in the Lightning’s favour however that margin just seemed one-to-two baskets too far away to close as the Flyers on their home floor kept finding the answer to the Lightning’s questions. The downfall for Adelaide was giving up another set of offensive rebounds to Russell as she collected her 7th and 8th one to push it back out to double figures. A late flurry from the Lightning inspired by spark plug Sarah Elsworthy saw Kathyrn Westbeld (dogged by foul trouble all match) and Brook close the margin with the Flyers just sneaking across the finish line to claim game one of the WNBL semi-final series 65-68.

DO THE STATS LIE?

The formula for defeating the Flyers was laid out in the first quarter statistics as the Lightning held the normally 42 percent perimeter shooting Flyers to zero and 42 percent from the field, minimised turnovers only giving up one steal and grabbed 12 rebounds to 8. In the last quarter they held the Flyers to 33 percent from the perimeter and 26 percent from the field but gave up 40 plus percent from both across the second and third quarters. The Lightning grabbed 7 offensive rebounds in the second quarter but couldn’t take advantage of that the same way the Flyers did in the third.

It was all about Mercedes Russell who grabbed 8 offensive rebounds for the game including three in the third to back up her 12 points for the quarter. Her 19 rebounds was the highest for her in the season in a 15-8 quarter for the Flyers. She also was the only player in the match to play all 40 minutes of the game while contributing to the Flyer’s 12 points from offensive rebound put-backs compared to the Lightning’s 2 points.

WHEN THE NEXT STRIKE COMES

This game did go according to script somewhat but the Lightning’s start in this one has given Adelaide some ticks in the gameplan box for upsetting the top team on Saturday night in game two. If the girls can tweak their positioning on the box outs and find the energy to hustle to that loose ball before Russell reels them in, they they will force game three. A huge crowd is a must for Lightning to generate that energy and with another game under Seekamp, she’ll be better for the run to lead her Lightning to victory at the Lighthouse this Saturday night.

And if you’re looking for a good block party, I suggest that the TSA will be a better choice than any of the other Adelaide night hotspots Saturday.

SOUTHSIDE FLYERS 68 (RUSSELL 20 [19 rbs], MITCHELL 15, COLE 13) DEFEATED ADELAIDE LIGHTNING 65 (NICHOLSON 14, TALBOT 13 [9 rbs, 6 as], TURNER 11 [9 rbs, 5 bks], BROOK 11)

It's going to be big battle between the star imports from the Mercury and the Storm, "Ms Double Double" (right) vs "Big Benz" (left) - Photo by Adelaide Lightning

Southside Flyers vs Adelaide Lightning

• Game 1: 7:30pm (AEDT), Tuesday 18 February, Dandenong Stadium
• Game 2: 7:00pm (AEDT), Saturday 22 February, Titanium Security Arena (The Lighthouse)
• *Game 3: 6:30pm (AEDT), Wednesday 26 February, Dandenong Stadium
• Broadcast: Foxtel/Kayo

Last times they’ve met:

25/01/2020: Southside Flyers 81 (Cole 28, Mitchell 21, Russell 15, Blicavs 13) defeated Adelaide Lightning 69 (Turner 20, Talbot, Seekamp 16) at Dandenong Stadium

STRIKE BACK INTO HISTORY

2007/2008 Preliminary Final: Link Lightning shoot down “power” Rangers in prelim

The top of the table Adelaide Link Lightning after being upset by the Sydney Uni Flames were hungry for redemption at their home of the Distinctive Homes Dome and it came in the form of a surprise packet in the Southside Flyers former identity, the Dandenong Rangers.

The Rangers would not be an easy task with an evenly spread contribution and a game plan built for finals led by WNBL defensive player of the year Emily McInerny. It was the home crowd and a “powerhouse” performance from leading Lightning ppg Renae Camino, rebound machine Tracy Gahan and the duo combo of Angela Marino and Jess Foley that saw the Lightning into its first Grand Final since 1999/2000 after missing the past two previous seasons by back-to-back heart breakers including one in overtime to the Canberra Capitals.

Key Match-Ups 

Steph Talbot vs. Rebecca Cole

This game has so many key match-ups in the guard positions but with many of those breaking even it comes down to controlling the small forward/guard position on the floor and two huge game-breakers are Talbot and Cole. Talbot averages 16 ppg against the Flyers along with 8.3 rpg as well as being a defensive presence on the perimeter. The Lightning “Ms Fix-It” help defence will be most required to minimise the Flyers average of 33 percent from the triple against their team this season.

Leading the way in those categories is FIBA 3X3 star Rebecca Cole. Cole has averaged 21 ppg and 8.6 rpg in three games against the Lightning this season. The young superstar averages 29 percent from the perimeter for her career and will need to avoid the outstretched extra 10 cm of length that Talbot brings to that match-up.

Brianna Turner vs. Mercedes Russell

“Ms Double Double” vs the “Big Benz” is the import duo worth your money to watch as it is no doubt going to be a post party for both players.

As we know “Breezy” has been a star in the post for the Lightning this season but her battles with Russell have ebbed and flowed averaging 15 ppg and 8.3 rpg this season against the Flyers. While she gives up 8cm to her import opponent, if the WNBA Phoenix Mercury forward is switched on for her box-outs and physical play, Turner is going to cause Russell plenty of problems including in transition off those rip and go rebounds.

The “Big Benz” has been a beast for the Flyers this season and has enjoyed her games against the Lightning. The WNBA Seattle Storm player averages 22.3 ppg and 11ppg against them this season and sets-up much of the Flyers “flying” transition offence to their guards through her work on the glass at the defensive ends. The Lightning must find a way to disrupt and make her sit on the pine early to force the bench of Southside to play multiple minutes as the Lightning’s backup is significantly stronger in this area statistically.

Kathryn Westbeld vs Sarah Blicavs

The Lightning’s other import has been a steady influence this season against Southside and with a raft of Stars for the other side, Westbeld must step-up yet again if the Lightning are to cause a semi-final upset. Westbeld averages 13 ppg one of their highest averages against any team she’s played this season so if she clocks that along with some key assists to get her guards Lauren Nicholson and Nicole Seekamp involved, it will go a long way to evening the contest.

One of many Flyers players standing in Westbeld’s way includes Sara Blicavs. The Melbourne Tigers junior has had a dominant year against this side accumulating 17ppg and 8.6 rpg. Westbeld will need to be on her game defensively and work in tandem with Talbot and Turner to turn the defensive glass dial in the Lightning’s favour.

The Last Play

The week off you feel would’ve benefited the Lightning with a race against the clock for skipper Seekamp to be fit and looks like in the nick of time she’ll be ready to go tomorrow. With back to back finals appearances the Lightning appear to once again be very much the underdog behind all the other teams however they have caused one of the four flyer losses this season and with one crucial piece in Jenna O’Hea gone for the season with a nasty wrist injury, the match-up evens up significantly.

With a bench that only averages 2.9 ppg, some work off the ball and getting Russell, Blicavs and Cole into pick and roll situations with Lightning’s swift ball movement could force their coach’s hand in Cheryl Chambers to the pine and that opens the door wide for the Lightning to strike.

I think the first game will go the way of the Flyers on their home court but master tactician Chris Lucas will figure out some keys for the next few games. With that in mind if the Lightning can force this to a three game series by winning their home fixture Saturday night, the longer this series goes, the more of a dark horse for the Championship Adelaide becomes and that folks is something with a town hungry for sports success title wise is worth your money, time and support for this Saturday night and hopefully beyond.

Game One: Flyers by 5pts

Game Two: Lightning by 4pts

Game Three: Lightning by 3pts in Overtime

Maddie Allen (pictured) and Nadeen Payne held "Ms Double Double" (far left) in the first half but she exploded after half-time for 7 points and 14 rebounds to strongly influence the outcome of the result - Photo by Adelaide Lightning

THE WRAP Q BY Q

The first quarter was pretty standard with some up and down play but Lynx forward Nadeen Payne was finding her range early with some timely triples. Skipper Nicole Seekamp was making sure all her team-mates were being fed well before finals including the highlight of the first quarter finding an open court Chelsea Brook with the half court find in transition. The Lightning leading by a slim margin of 21-18 after one.

A burst to open the second from young gun Nes’eya Williams got the Lynx going with Lauren Mansfield also causing plenty of headaches for particularly Lauren Nicholson and coach Chris Lucas. Lucas turned to his pine for some spark from Sarah Elsworthy as she delivered not only with a deuce from mid range but a couple of quality steals in a 3:20 burst. Seekamp was continuing to serve up the ball to her team-mates while Nadeen was continuing to bring the Payne with a long triple. The Lynx had the lead but this was erased like a school teacher clearing whiteboards in between lessons as Steph Talbot lit up the Lynx with an 8-0 run including back to back triples. Payne tripled again however and the Lynx only trailed by two at half-time, 41-39. The Lightning while dominating points from the paint with 20 so far had given up 9 points from turnovers to the Lynx with 6, something they would need to address at half-time.

The Lynx opened the third with a 9-0 run off the back of some uncharacteristic Seekamp turnovers and some bombs from deep by Payne and Marena Whittle. A Talbot huge block on Mansfield sparked a 12-0 run back the other way for Lightning through Talbot and a huge triple to veteran Natalie Hurst. Slowly but surely “Ms Double Double” import Bri Turner also was asserting herself all over the glass grabbing 12 rebounds in the quarter and some big blocks. Seekamp then dropped the buzzer beater two point left hand layup to square it all up at 57-57 a piece after three

Kicking off the fourth, Seekamp with a no looker found Talbot for her third triple of the match while Turner continued to turn the screws pushing it out to a five point margin before the Lynx hit back through their import Ariel Atkins who wanted to be part of this game (and my goodness did she come from under the sea to get the Lynx back into this one.) The WNBA Mystics star reeled off a step-back triple to close the margin then Mansfield followed by an in the block move by Williams gave the Lynx a three point lead with 2:50 to go. Seekamp knocked one down from the elbow before the moment of the match at 1:09 as Seekamp rolled her ankle badly stepping on the basketball boot of Maddie Allen as she collapsed in agony in not a good sign. Import Kathryn Westbeld’s drive and right handed finish proved pivotal before Atkins made a tough finish but Ms Double Double’s 24th board sealed a thriller for the Lightning over the Lynx, 75-74 but as we said before at what cost?

DO THE STATS LIE?

The Lightning gave up 14 turnovers in the game and conceded 18 points from these in the most telling statistic of the match, but on a positive Turner had 7 points and 14 rebounds in the second half in a highly influential stretch. The Lightning shot 33 percent from beyond the arc in the second half after shooting 27 percent in the first thanks mainly to Talbot.

The Lynx despite a lack of size won the rebounds 45-43 and got much production out of their bench with 15 points mainly from Williams and Whittle. The Lynx had five players in double figures with Atkins coming from the clouds with 11 of her points coming in the last 11:00 minutes of the game.

WHEN THE NEXT STRIKE COMES

The Lightning now have a huge game which while a dead rubber provides an opportunity to play finals hardened Canberra Capitals with the likelihood high with Opals duties around the corner next week (and even then a stretch) Nicole Seekamp not in action for that one. It’s the perfect opportunity for someone to stand up and take the responsibility of running the point for the team. Hurst will get the first crack but the door is also ajar for the rest of the Lightning bench to gain some significant minutes before they take on the Southside Flyers in their three game series in two weeks time.

ADELAIDE LIGHTNING 75 (SEEKAMP 17, TURNER 16, TALBOT 13, NICHOLSON 9) DEFEATED PERTH LYNX 74 (ATKINS, EBZERY 16, MANSFIELD 12, PAYNE, WHITTLE 11)