10 September 2007 By Vlad Alava
Photos courtesy of Rob Sheeley
The ACUVUE Sydney Uni Flames and Canberra Capitals took high quality basketball to the country on the weekend when they faced off at Wollongong’s SnakePit Basketball Stadium last Saturday.
Mikaela Dombkins lines up another 2 points; Sally Potocki drives to the basket; Kristen Veal in action.
Despite missing key stars in both line-ups, the preseason match lived up to its much anticipated fanfare as the Flames upstaged last season’s premiers in a one point tussle 74 to 73. The game was a high paced affair played in front of an appreciative local crowd who were thrilled with numerous lead changes, highlight reels and willing physical contests.
The first quarter saw the Capitals burst out into an early double figure lead as the Flames struggled with their offensive productivity and poor defensive transition. Canberra looked sharp early with livewire guards Natalie Hurst and Jessica Bibby setting the tempo for the ACT side. The Capitals headed into the first break 8 ahead after a solid start to the game.
Having identified the shortcomings of the first quarter, Sydney Uni came out with more discipline in the second and duly addressed the concerns of the first with new signing Erin Lorenzini helping sway the game in the Flames favour with some deft passing and vision on offense. Sydney stuck with Canberra in the second to reduce the deficit to 9 at half time.
The second half was a more torrid defensive contest. Consecutive stops by the Flames in the 3rd quarter coupled with some terrific finishing by Uni players Melissa Smith and Michelle Musselwhite helped slow down the Capitals running game.
The Flames struggled to match up with the Capitals tall timber of Tracey Beatty, Caitlin Cunningham and new import Krista Hays who scored consistently in the paint. It is an area that the Flames will need to address before the season starts in a few weeks.
Melissa Smith brings the ball up court; Michelle Musselwhite eyes another basket.
With the game in the balance, both teams exchanged several lead changes before back to back three point plays from rookie Sally Potocki put the Flames up by as much as 8 late in the game. Not to be upstaged, the Canberra side came back in into the game with a final flurry to push the final margin down to one point.
“Our goals for the game were to focus on our defensive principles. Our start was ordinary but we showed in patches that we can get it done if we keep our minds on the task.” lamented ACUVUE Sydney Uni Flames Head Coach Karen Dalton.
Coach Dalton also acknowledged the contribution of forward Melissa Smith, Conny Janzon and Michelle Musselwhite, who paced the Flames with 22 points for the game.
For the Capitals, Caitlin Cunningham again displayed flashes of her ability with an encouraging display while guards Jess Bibby and Natalie Hurst where a constant threat throughout the game.
Both team will meet again in a fortnight, this time in the south coast town of Shoalhaven.