FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

 

WHILST Dandenong may have won their three match-ups against Waverley during the regular season, it is now finals basketball – which most know is a whole different ball game.

 

Waverley coach Matt Dickins said his side was ready to rumble and was looking forward to the match.

“Finals are a new season effectively – anything can happen,” Dickins said.

 

“I think the four teams who have made it are quality teams and if they play to their full potential, anything is possible.”

 

Dickins described Dandenong as a strong, well-drilled, confident side with depth that had the potential to do some damage.

 

“But we have about seven players who can stand up at any one time and have a big game that can be the difference,” he added.

 

It was during round three at Waverley Stadium these two sides first squared off, with Dandenong emerging seven-point victors thanks largely to the efforts of Melissa Colcott (15 points), Faith Probst (14 points) and Emily McInerney (10 points, 12 boards).

 

The next faced-off in round eight with the Rangers fortifying their stronghold over the Falcons to take a 14 point victory, again at Waverley Stadium.

 

Despite the loss, Kathleen MacLeod stepped-up to produce a player -of-the-week effort for Waverley, hitting a game-high 29 points, six boards and three assists.

 

She was helped along by Lill Keane and Suzi Porter who, between them, managed 20 rebounds.

The home side held a narrow one-point lead at half time, but the Rangers blew it open in the final quarter to snag the victory.

 

Probst was once more solid for Dandenong, knocking in 15 points and eight boards, with Colcott (14 points) also making an impact.

 

Their final clash was in round 10, this time on Rangers turf.

 

Dandenong took the honours, but the deficit was reduced to just three points.

 

MacLeod once again starred, hitting a dapper 27 points, taking 10 boards and giving away six dimes.

Porter was also solid for Waverley with 13 points and nine boards.

 

For the Rangers, it was a team combination which brought about the win with Probst (14 points, nine boards), Fazlyn Hartley (10 points, eight boards), Amelia Toddhunter (10 points) and Demelza Waixel (nine points, 13 boards) all having an impact.

 

After finishing their season off in second position, Dandenong are eager to continue the trend with coach Michael Davies confident his side can produce the goods.

 

“We seem to be doing all the right things with the games leading into the final series,” Davies said.

 

“We probably haven’t had the best week of training with two or three of our girls away but I’m expecting we will carry the confidence and enthusiasm of the finals into this match.”

 

Davies said his side would be wary of what Waverley could produce, with each of the three regular-season matches decided only in the final minutes of the match.

 

Waverley has managed to score 151 points more for the season than their opponent, however, Dandenong have had 108 points less scored against them. 

 

In this match-up Waverley will look to their key play-maker in MacLeod, who for the season, finished with an average of 18.1 points, 4.0 boards and 5.6 assists.

 

Anderson, who heads into this match crisp from winning round 16’s player of the week, will suit up for just her second game against Dandenong and should impress with season averages of 14.6 points, 7.6 boards and 2.5 assist.

 

Waverley also have depth in Brookhouse (13.1 ppg), Porter (11.8 ppg) and Keane (10.7 ppg) with Carleigh Egan also able to come off the bench and make an impact.

 

For the Rangers it will be an attack led by Probst which will tender the damage with the key forward taking season averages of 14 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.2 assist for the season.

 

Colcott is also capable of destruction, snagging averages of 13.1 points and five rebounds per game with Waixel’s nine-point, 9.5-rebound average sure to go a long way.

 

Toddhunter, Hartley and Fahy Phan are also capable of having an impact on the hardwood.

 

For more information or to schedule an interview please contact Big V Media Manager LAURA BANKS on 0400 856 343 or media@bigv.com.au